Landmark Verdict: 9 Policemen Sentenced to Death in Sathankulam Case

Madurai, Tamil Nadu | April 15, 2026

In a historic ruling against custodial violence, a Madurai sessions court has awarded the death penalty to nine police personnel for the 2020 torture and murder of P. Jayaraj and his son J. Bennix.

The father and son were detained during the COVID-19 lockdown for allegedly keeping their mobile shop open past curfew. A CBI investigation later revealed they were subjected to brutal overnight torture.

Why it Matters:

• “Rarest of Rare”: Judge G. Muthukumaran categorized the incident as a “betrayal by those meant to uphold the law,” meeting the high threshold for capital punishment.
• CBI Findings: The investigation debunked the initial police version that the victims resisted arrest, proving instead that evidence was deliberately scrubbed from the station floor.

➤ To read the full coverage click here: Sathankulam Custodial Death Verdict 2026