A court in Madurai has sentenced nine policemen to death in the Sathankulam custodial deaths case in Tamil Nadu. The verdict comes nearly six years after the deaths of a father and son, P. Jeyaraj and J. Beniks, which had caused outrage across India.
The First Additional District and Sessions Court found all nine accused guilty of torturing the two men while they were in police custody. The court said the crime was very serious and awarded the highest punishment.
The incident happened in June 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Jeyaraj and Beniks, who owned a small shop, were taken to the Sathankulam police station for allegedly keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours. What started as a minor violation soon turned into a shocking case of police brutality.
According to the investigation, the father and son were beaten badly throughout the night while in custody. They suffered severe injuries and later died, leading to widespread protests and demands for justice. The case drew national attention and raised serious questions about custodial violence in India.
Following public pressure, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). After a detailed probe, the agency filed charges against the policemen. The court had earlier found them guilty of murder before announcing the death sentence.
The judge said such acts by those in uniform cannot be tolerated and must be punished strictly. The verdict is being seen as a strong message against abuse of power by law enforcement officials.
Family members of Jeyaraj and Beniks said they finally feel justice has been served after years of struggle. They hope this judgment will help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Legal experts say it is rare for policemen to receive the death penalty in custodial death cases. They believe this ruling highlights the importance of protecting human rights and ensuring accountability.
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