Madurai Sessions Court awards capital punishment in 2020 father-son custodial killings; holds case falls in “rarest of rare” category
A Madurai court has sentenced nine police officers to death in the Sathankulam custodial death case. The court held them guilty of torturing and killing a father and son while they were in police custody
The case concerns the deaths of P. Jayaraj, 59, and his son J. Bennix, 31, in Sathankulam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, in June 2020. Police had taken them into custody for allegedly violating COVID-19 lockdown rules.
According to the prosecution, the two were brutally tortured at the police station. They died soon after. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over police brutality and custodial violence.
Later, the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency filed charges against several police personnel for offences such as murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.
On March 23, 2026, the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai, presided over by Judge G. Muthukumaran, convicted all nine accused police officers. The court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found that the deaths were the direct result of custodial torture inflicted by the accused officers.
In its sentencing order delivered on April 6, 2026, the court awarded the death penalty to all nine convicted officers.
The court treated the matter as a “rarest of rare” case. It noted the seriousness of custodial violence and the abuse of power by law enforcement officials.
The court also directed payment of compensation to the victims’ family. In doing so, it underlined the need for accountability in custodial death cases.
The judgment marks a major development in the fight against custodial violence in India. By imposing the harshest punishment on police personnel found guilty of abusing their authority, the court has sent a strong message on accountability and the protection of fundamental rights.
