Tamil Nadu court sentences 9 cops to death in 2020 father-son custodial torture, killing case

The First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai described the case as “rarest of rare”, citing the severity of the crime and abuse of authority.

The verdict followed a trial lasting more than five years, during which the court examined extensive evidence presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The judge held all nine accused guilty of murder and related offences.

Details of convicted officers

Those convicted include Inspector S Sridhar, Sub-Inspectors P Raghu Ganesh and K Balakrishnan, Head Constables S Murugan and A Samadurai, and Constables M Muthuraj, S Chelladurai, X Thomas Francis and S Veilumuthu.

A tenth accused, Special Sub-Inspector Pauldurai, died during the course of the trial due to COVID-19.

Custodial torture and deaths

The case relates to the events of June 2020, when Jayaraj, 59, and Benniks, 31, were detained for allegedly violating COVID-19 lockdown norms by keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours.

Investigators later found that the claim was not substantiated.

According to the findings, both men were subjected to prolonged and severe custodial torture at the Sathankulam police station.

The court noted that they were stripped and repeatedly assaulted, sustaining multiple injuries, including blunt-force trauma and heavy bleeding.

They were later remanded to judicial custody and died within days at the Kovilpatti sub-jail, on June 22 and June 23 respectively.

Evidence and investigation findings

The CBI investigation established that the assault continued through the night and was carried out in a coordinated manner.

The agency presented forensic evidence, including DNA samples collected from various locations within the police station, which matched the victims.

The chargesheet stated that Benniks protested against the assault on his father, which led to further violence.

Both victims were restrained during the assault, leaving them unable to defend themselves.

Medical reports confirmed multiple serious injuries, with the postmortem attributing Benniks’ death to complications arising from blunt injuries.

Investigators also noted that Jayaraj had pleaded with officers to stop, citing existing health conditions.

Allegations of evidence tampering

The probe also found that attempts were made to destroy evidence following the incident.

According to investigators, the victims were forced to clean bloodstains, and incriminating materials were removed.

A false case was allegedly registered to cover up the events.

Investigators also highlighted challenges during the probe, including the deletion of CCTV footage from the police station.

More than 100 witnesses were examined during the course of the trial.

Testimonies included statements from police personnel, including a woman constable who described the events and presence of bloodstains at the station.