In a historic judgment that has sent shockwaves across the country, a Madurai court has sentenced nine police personnel to death for the custodial torture and subsequent deaths of businessman P. Jayaraj and his son J. Bennicks. The incident, which occurred in June 2020 in the Sathankulam area of Tuticorin district, had triggered nationwide outrage against police brutality.

Jayaraj and Bennicks were picked up by the police on June 19, 2020, for allegedly keeping their mobile shop open beyond the permitted lockdown hours. While in custody, they were subjected to brutal physical assault, leading to Bennicks’ death on June 22 and Jayaraj’s a day later. A CBI investigation later proved that the police charges against them were entirely fabricated.

Terming the incident as a “rarest of rare” case, Judge G. Muthukumaran condemned the “absolute arrogance of power” displayed by the accused. The court awarded the death penalty to nine officers, including an Inspector and several Sub-Inspectors, while also directing them to pay a combined compensation of ₹1.40 crore to the victim’s family. The verdict serves as a stern warning against the misuse of law enforcement authority.