Madurai, April 6, 2026 – In the history of India, such a verdict is rarely pronounced when 9 police officers are sentenced to death together. The brutal murder of a father and son in Sathankulam, Tamil Nadu, shook the entire nation. Today, six years later, the Madurai court delivered a historic verdict sentencing 9 guilty police officers to death. This verdict is not only justice for the victim’s family but also a strong message against the police system across the country.
June 19, 2020 – The country was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. In Sathankulam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, Jayaraj (59) and his son Bennicks (31) owned a mobile accessories shop. That day, they closed their shop a few minutes late than the scheduled time. It was a small human error, but it cost them their lives.
Around 7:30 PM, police officers from Sathankulam police station took Jayaraj into custody from Kamaraj junction. When Bennicks learned that his father had been taken by the police, he went to the station. After an argument with the police officers, he was also taken into custody. What followed was something that would shame humanity.
The Bloody Game at the Police Station
According to the CBI charge sheet, between the night of June 19 and 20, the police officers subjected Jayaraj and Bennicks to such brutality that it is difficult to imagine. Both were stripped naked and bent over a wooden table. Their hands and feet were held by police officers so they couldn’t defend themselves. Then, their backs, hips, and other body parts were mercilessly beaten with sticks.
According to the victims’ family members, when they were seen the next morning, their condition was extremely pitiful. Jayaraj’s veshti and Bennicks’ pants were soaked in blood. The family members were told to bring dark-colored lungis because there was so much blood that clothes had to be changed repeatedly.
The Magistrate’s Hand That Saw Everything
One of the most shocking aspects of this case was that when Jayaraj and Bennicks were produced before the magistrate for judicial custody, the magistrate waved his hand from the balcony and sent them on remand. No inquiry, no questioning – just a gesture and two wounded human beings were sent to jail.
The victims’ family members said that both were made to stand at the entrance of the magistrate’s house, surrounded by police officers. The magistrate appeared from the first floor, waved his hand, and a police officer shouted, “Kovilpatti, remand.” This entire drama ended in a few minutes.
Death Came Knocking
On June 20, both were sent to Kovilpatti sub-jail. Their condition was continuously deteriorating. On the night of June 22, Bennicks died at the government hospital. The next day, on June 23, Jayaraj also breathed his last. The post-mortem report confirmed 18 serious injuries. The team of doctors concluded that Bennicks’ death was caused by blunt injuries inflicted during custody.
Outrage Spread Across the Country
The news of Jayaraj and Bennicks’ death set the entire country on fire. Protests took place across Tamil Nadu and the country. Shopkeepers closed their shops. Human rights activists strongly condemned police brutality. On social media, #JusticeForJayarajAndBenniks started trending.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court took suo motu cognizance on June 24, 2020. The court ordered a judicial inquiry and, expressing no confidence in the local police, handed over the investigation to the CB-CID. Later, the case was handed over to the CBI.
The Female Constable’s Testimony That Changed Everything
In this case, the testimony of female head constable S. Revathi proved crucial. She told the court that night, there was beating at the station and there were blood stains there. Her testimony turned the entire case around. However, the CCTV footage from the station was not preserved, causing some evidence to be lost.
CBI Investigation and Charge Sheet
The CBI filed the first charge sheet on September 25, 2020, and a supplementary charge sheet on August 12, 2022. The investigation found that the police officers tried to destroy evidence after the torture. A false case was registered to hide the crime. The CBI concluded that the accused inflicted serious injuries with common intention, and they were fully aware of the fatal consequences.
List of the Accused
The 9 police officers found guilty by the court are:
1. S. Sridhar (then Inspector, Sathankulam station)
2. P. Raghu Ganesh (Sub-Inspector)
3. K. Balakrishnan (Sub-Inspector)
4. S. Murugan (Head Constable)
5. A. Samadurai (Head Constable)
6. M. Muthuraja (Constable)
7. S. Chelladurai (Constable)
8. X. Thomas Francis (Constable)
9. S. Velumuthu (Constable)
The 10th accused in the case, Special Sub-Inspector Pauldurai, died of COVID-19 in August 2020.
Historic Court Verdict
On March 23, 2026, the court found all 9 police officers guilty and pronounced the sentence on April 6, 2026. First Additional District and Sessions Judge G. Muthukumaran declared it a “rarest of rare” case.
In his verdict, the judge said, “This was no ordinary crime, but a spine-chilling and horrific crime committed by educated and informed police officers.” He said that life imprisonment would not instill fear among the police.
Double Death Sentence and Heavy Fine
The court awarded “double death sentence” to all 9 accused, meaning death sentence twice. In addition, heavy fines were also imposed:
– Inspector Sridhar: Rs. 24.10 lakhs
– Balakrishnan: Rs. 16.80 lakhs
– Raghuganesh: Rs. 5.20 lakhs
– Murugan: Rs. 10.10 lakhs
– Samadurai: Rs. 5.60 lakhs
– Muthuraja: Rs. 3.20 lakhs
– Chelladurai: Rs. 14.40 lakhs
– Thomas Francis: Rs. 10.54 lakhs
– Velumuthu: Rs. 10.54 lakhs
The total fine is Rs. 76.38 lakhs. The court also ordered compensation of Rs. 1.40 crores to the victim’s family.
Judge Broke His Pen
After pronouncing the verdict, Judge Muthukumaran broke the nib of his pen. This is a symbolic step in Indian judicial tradition that indicates this verdict is final and irrevocable.
Important Observations by the Court
The judge said, “Where there is power, there should also be responsibility. This incident was an attack on human rights. Death in custody is a social evil.” He said, “Those who were supposed to protect the public abused their power to behave in this manner. This was a case of the fence eating the crop.”
The court also said that if the High Court had not intervened, the truth of this incident would have been buried. This is a case that destroyed an entire family and is a clear example of abuse of power.
Justice for the Victim’s Family
After a long wait of six years, Jayaraj and Bennicks’ family has received justice. The family members said that this verdict is a relief for them, but their lost family cannot come back. They said that this verdict will help prevent such incidents in the future.
This verdict is a strong message for police reform and against custodial deaths in India. It shows that there is no place in democracy for those who take the law into their hands under the guise of uniform. This justice is a ray of hope for families who have been waiting for justice for years.
This case became the center of nationwide debate on police accountability and custodial death issues. This verdict will force police officers to think carefully before acting in the future.
The Sathankulam Custodial Death Case is a dark chapter that has been recorded in the history of the Indian police system. The death sentence for 9 police officers is a historic verdict that shows that no one is above the law. This verdict is justice for the victim’s family and also a warning to prevent such incidents in the future.
