A trial court in Tamil Nadu on Monday (April 6, 2026) awarded death penalty to nine policemen found guilty of custodial torture and murder of a trader P. Jayaraj (58) and his son J. Benicks (31) during the COVID-19 lockdown at Sattankulam in Thoothukudi district.
The custodial torture meted out to the father and son in June 2020, who were detained at the Sattankulam police station on the mere charge of violating COVID-19 lockdown norms and keeping their mobile phone sales and service showroom open, had shaken civil society and also became a political issue.
Published – April 07, 2026 08:50 pm IST
