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Nine policemen sentenced to death in India over Covid custody killings

Nine policemen sentenced to death in India over Covid custody killings

The father and son died in jail after being arrested on suspicion of breaching Covid lockdown rules in 2020.

April 6, 2026 at 09:21 PM Original source
11 agencies covered this story

Coverage by Political Leaning

See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story

Left
1 articles
Lean Left
3 articles
Center
7 articles
Lean Right
0 articles
No coverage
Right
0 articles
No coverage

Notable Quotes

"They should not be forgiven. They should not be given lesser sentences based on their age or family background."

— Rahul Gandhi , Politician

"Mere life sentences would not be sufficient, as the policemen would have no fear and would, instead, get emboldened."

— G Muthukumaran , Other

"the police are meant to protect the common man, and when they become the perpetrators of such brutality, the law must act as a deterrent."

— G Muthukumaran , Other

"Father and son stripped, ruthlessly assaulted… Heart shudders reading about it."

— Inspector Sridhar , Other

Key People

B
BeniksOther

Victim of custodial death in Sathankulam.

B
BenniksOther

Benniks was a 31-year-old son of Jayaraj who also died in police custody.

B
BennixOther

Son of Jeyaraj who also died under similar circumstances.

G
G MuthukumaranOther

Judge who awarded death sentences to the policemen.

I
Inspector SridharOther

One of the nine policemen sentenced to death for the custodial killings of P. Jayaraj and J. Benicks.

J
JayarajOther

Jayaraj was a 59-year-old trader who died in police custody.

J
J BenicksOther

The son of P Jayaraj, who also died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.

J
J. BenicksOther

The son of P. Jayaraj, who also died in custody following alleged mistreatment by police.

J
J BennixOther

He is the son of P Jayaraj and one of the victims in the custodial deaths case.

J
JeyarajOther

Victim of custodial death in Sathankulam.

P
P JayarajOther

He is one of the victims in the custodial deaths case.

P
P. JayarajOther

A trader who died in custody due to alleged police brutality during the COVID-19 lockdown.

R
Rahul GandhiPoliticianLeft

Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and member of the Indian National Congress.

S
Shikhar DhawanAthlete

Shikhar Dhawan is an Indian cricketer known for his performance in international cricket.

S
SridharOther

One of the nine police officers convicted in the custodial deaths case.

S
Sub-Inspector BalakrishnanOther

Another policeman involved in the custody case that led to the death sentences.

S
Sub-Inspector Raghu GaneshOther

Another police official convicted alongside others for the deaths of the father and son.

All Coverage

Nine policemen sentenced to death in India over Covid custody killings
BBC Newsvia rss 1 quote 1 person

The father and son died in jail after being arrested on suspicion of breaching Covid lockdown rules in 2020.

100%
Sathankulam custodial deaths of father-son duo: Madurai court awards death sentence to 9 cops
The Times of Indiavia ai 1 quote 1 person

Nine police officers were sentenced to death for the custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix in Sathankulam, with the court emphasizing the severity of the crime.

80%
Business Standardvia ai

A court in Madurai sentenced nine police personnel to death for the custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix, imposing a combined fine of ₹1.40 crore as compensation.

80%
Justice Served: Nine Policemen Sentenced to Death in Sathankulam Custodial Death Case
Devdiscoursevia ai

Nine police officers were sentenced to death for the 2020 custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and J Bennix in Sathankulam, with the court emphasizing the severity of the crime.

80%
NDTVvia ai

Nine police officials have been handed death sentences for the custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son J Benicks in Tamil Nadu, highlighting the prolonged legal process.

80%
9 cops involved in custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Benicks get death penalty
Rediff.comvia ai

A district court in Madurai awarded the death penalty to nine policemen in the 2020 Sathankulam custodial death case, terming it among the 'rarest of rare' crimes.

80%
Sathankulam custodial deaths: Nine police officers sentenced to death
The Siasat Dailyvia ai 1 quote 1 person

A court in Madurai sentenced nine police personnel to death for the custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix, imposing a combined fine of ₹1.40 crore as compensation.

80%
Sathankulam custodial deaths: Madurai court awards death penalty to nine policemen
Onmanoramavia ai

A Madurai court sentenced nine police personnel to death for the 2020 custodial deaths of P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix, describing the case as 'rarest of rare'.

80%
Nine Tamil Nadu cops get death sentence for 2020 custodial murder of father-son duo in Sathankulam
India Todayvia ai

A Madurai court sentenced nine Tamil Nadu police personnel to death in the 2020 Sathankulam custodial killing case, terming it a 'rarest of rare' crime marked by extreme brutality and abuse of power.

80%
‘Heart shudders’: Court sentences nine policemen to death for Sathankulam custodial killings
Maktoob Mediavia ai 1 quote 1 person

A trial court in Tamil Nadu awarded death penalty to nine policemen found guilty of custodial torture and murder of a trader P. Jayaraj and his son J. Benicks during the COVID-19 lockdown at Sattankulam in Thoothukudi district.

80%
Sathankulam Custodial Deaths: Special Court Awards Death Penalty to Nine Cops
News Todayvia ai

A special court sentenced all nine police officers convicted in the Sathankulam custodial deaths case to death, holding them responsible for the brutal deaths of father-son duo Jeyaraj (59) and Bennix (31) in 2020.

80%