Sattankulam Jayaraj-Benicks custodial deaths case: All nine policemen sentenced to death
The Hindu
Nine police personnel convicted in the Sattankulam custodial deaths case receive death sentences.
All the nine police personnel convicted in the 2020 Sattankulam custodial deaths case, in which trader P. Jayaraj (58) and his son J. Benicks (31) died in police custody, were awarded death sentence by the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai on Monday (April 6, 2026).
EXPLAINED | What is the Sattankulam father-son custodial torture death case all about?
On March 23, 2026, the court convicted all nine police personnel in the case but had said that the quantum of their sentence would be pronounced later.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the counsel representing the family of Jayaraj on Thursday (April 2, 2026) sought maximum punishment for the nine policemen convicted by the trial court in the case. The counsels submitted before the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai that the case fell within the category of the rarest of rare cases and maximum punishment should be awarded to the convicts. “It was a heinous crime and the traders were tortured all through the night at the Sattankulam police station,” the counsel pointed out.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court took suo motu cognisance of the crime and passed a slew of directions. The then AIADMK government transferred the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In all, 10 police personnel were named as accused in the case. One of them died after contracting COVID-19. The CBI has prosecuted nine police personnel.
The CBI filed a charge sheet on September 25, 2020 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on August 12, 2022. It arraigned as accused the then Sattankulam 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. Special sub-inspector Pauldurai was also an accused. But he died during trial after contracting COVID-19.
ISM 2.0 aims to boost India's semiconductor ecosystem by supporting chemicals, gases, and equipment manufacturing, says MeitY official.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy urges swift establishment of a ₹750-crore ARAI facility in Mandya, warning against political delays.
Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka emphasizes government commitment to public welfare, fulfilling 99% of election promises at Pipri meeting.
Naidu criticises YSRCP for opposing Amaravati and claims the party left the State without an identity during its rule.
Within just six months of the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) introducing a violation-flagging feature on ASTraM that allows college students to report traffic violations, a whopping 7,220 rule-breakers have been flagged by students, data shows.
Tirumayam grapples with agricultural, infrastructural, and environmental challenges, impacting livelihoods and necessitating urgent improvements.
Celebrate the 42nd Annual Sports Day at National Engineering College, highlighting achievements, unity, and sportsmanship among students.
Thunderstorms expected in 11 Telangana districts on April 7, with lightning and gusty winds forecasted.
Candidates file nominations in Erode for the April 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, amid heavy traffic and party support.
CPI(M) opposes Mysuru's water tariff and sewerage charge hike, demanding a rollback to ease financial strain on residents.
Tiruchi faces frequent power outages amid rising summer demand, causing frustration and inconvenience for residents across multiple localities.
Lokayukta raises alarm over lake encroachments in Kolar, demanding swift action from officials to resolve the issues.
CBI investigates ₹73,000 crore fraud involving Anil Ambani Group; ED highlights irregularities in insolvency proceedings and lender collusion.