Sathankulam custodial death case: 9 policemen hanged, court calls it ‘rarest of rare crime’

Madurai: A big and shocking news has come out from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. In the famous custodial death case that took place in the year 2020, the court has sentenced death penalty to 9 policemen. Along with this, a joint fine of Rs 1.40 crore has also been imposed on all the culprits. This case pertains to the custodial death of a father and son in Sathankulam, which shook the entire nation.

The sentence was given considering it to be the rarest of rare cases.

During the hearing in Madurai court, First Additional District and Sessions Judge G. Muthukumaran placed this case in the “rarest of the rare” category. The court said that the commission of such an inhuman crime by those who are responsible for public safety shocks the conscience of the society. On this basis, 9 policemen were found guilty and sentenced to death.

Father and son were brutally beaten

In this case, P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix were detained for keeping the shop open till late during the lockdown. It is alleged that both of them were brutally beaten in police custody, due to which they died in the hospital a few days later.

The incident happened during Corona lockdown

This entire incident happened in June 2020, when lockdown was in force across the country due to COVID-19. During this time, this incident came to light, which raised serious questions on the police system and human rights. There was anger in the entire country regarding this case.

CBI investigation and court decision

After the incident, the Madras High Court took suo motu cognizance and handed over the investigation of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. After a long investigation and hearing, the court has now given strict punishment to the culprits and has also ordered a compensation of Rs 1.40 crore to the victim’s family.