9 Police Officers Convicted in 2020 Sathankulam Father-Son Custodial Deaths Case

In a landmark verdict that brings a measure of justice to a case that had sent shockwaves across India, a Madurai court has convicted all nine police personnel accused in the 2020 custodial deaths of P. Jayaraj and his son J. Benicks. The First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai delivered the verdict on March 23, 2026, finding the officers guilty of the brutal torture that led to the deaths of the father-son duo in Sathankulam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu [2, 3, 5, 8]. The sentencing for the convicted officers is scheduled to be pronounced on March 30, 2026 [2, 7, 8]. The incident occurred in June 2020, during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. P. Jayaraj, a mobile accessories shop owner, and his son J. Benicks were allegedly detained by the Sathankulam police for keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours [3, 5, 10, 11, 12]. However, subsequent investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed that the traders had not violated lockdown rules, contrary to the initial police claims [2, 6, 12]. According to the CBI's chargesheet, Jayaraj was picked up from his shop on the evening of June 19, 2020, and taken to the police station [2, 12]. Benicks, upon learning of his father's arrest, rushed to the station to inquire and objected to his father being beaten. This led to both father and son being wrongfully confined and subjected to severe torture throughout the night [2, 6, 11, 12]. The torture was reportedly so brutal that the victims were made to clean blood from their wounds, and on the following morning, the station's cleanliness worker was allegedly tasked with cleaning the blood from the floor to destroy evidence [2, 6]. The CBI further stated that the assaults were sufficient to cause death and were carried out with full knowledge by the accused officers [2, 8]. The victims were reportedly tied with ropes, suspended, and beaten, with one of the accused allegedly keeping watch outside the station during the assault [8, 12]. Benicks succumbed to his injuries on June 22, 2020, and Jayaraj passed away the following day, June 23, 2020 [3, 5, 10, 12]. Their deaths ignited widespread public anger and protests against police brutality across Tamil Nadu and the country, highlighting issues of custodial violence and impunity within law enforcement [5, 10, 12]. The case initially saw an investigation by the Tamil Nadu Police, but due to the gravity of the incident and public outcry, it was transferred to the CBI to ensure a fair probe [3, 10]. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter, flagging attempts to destroy evidence and ordering an immediate CB-CID investigation before the case was handed over to the CBI [3]. Charges were framed against 10 police personnel, including the then Inspector S. Sridhar, Sub-Inspectors P. Raghu Ganesh and K. Balakrishnan, head constables S. Murugan and A. Saamidurai, and constables M. Muthuraj, S. Chelladurai, X. Thomas Francis, and S. Veilumuthu [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9]. Special Sub-Inspector Pauldurai, also an accused, died during the trial after contracting COVID-19 [2, 3, 4, 7]. The court's verdict on March 23, 2026, found all nine surviving accused guilty. Judge G. Muthukumaran stated that the prosecution had established beyond doubt that the accused were responsible for the torture that led to the deaths [2, 3, 8]. The court observed that the injuries sustained by Jayaraj and Benicks were unnatural and sufficient to cause death, rejecting any claims of self-inflicted injuries [5, 8]. The post-mortem reports indicated severe internal injuries caused by repeated assaults [5, 8]. The court also noted that the initial case registered against the father and son was false and that crucial evidence had been tampered with or destroyed [2, 8]. The conviction of the nine police officers is a significant step towards accountability for custodial violence in India. The sentencing, which is expected on March 30, will further determine the legal consequences for those found guilty of this heinous crime. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust mechanisms to prevent custodial torture and ensure justice for victims.

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