The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday reacted to the judgment of a Madurai court in the custodial death of a father-son duo in Tamil Nadu, after the court sentenced nine police officials of the Santhankulam police station to death.
The verdict came almost six years after P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix were allegedly assaulted by the convicted policemen in Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district, for allegedly keeping their mobile shop open in violation of COVID-19 norms.
Following a massive public outcry, the Madurai bench of the Madras high court took notice of the case, which was eventually investigated by the CBI.
The CBI said the case was handed over to it by the Tamil Nadu government for a fair investigation.
A total of 105 witnesses were examined over a five-year period. Of the initial 10 accused, special sub-inspector Pauldurai died during the trial due to health complications.
The court sentenced all nine convicted police personnel to death for the murders of Jayaraj and Bennix.
First additional district and sessions judge G Muthukumaran classified the case as the rarest of rare, observing that those entrusted with protecting the public had committed a crime that shook the collective conscience of society.
