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Nine officers handed death penalty for brutal deaths in custody
An Indian court sentenced nine police officers to death on Monday for the 2020 murders of a father and son in Tamil Nadu state, calling the attack a deliberate abuse of power.
The case
P. Jeyaraj, 58, and his son Benicks, 38, were arrested in June 2020 for allegedly violating COVID-19 lockdown rules by keeping their mobile phone shop open. They died in custody days later after being stripped and beaten in front of each other, according to the sentencing judge.
The court convicted the officers of murder last month, rejecting arguments for leniency based on their age or family circumstances. The judge stated the officers acted with intent to kill, targeting unarmed civilians.
Public outcry and broader concerns
The case sparked protests across Tamil Nadu, with opposition lawmakers and public figures demanding justice. Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and cricketer Shikhar Dhawan were among those who condemned the killings on social media.
Human rights organizations say custodial deaths are widespread in India, with hundreds reported annually. They argue that torture and coercion remain common police practices to extract confessions.
"They should not be forgiven. They are all educated," the judge said during sentencing.
Legal next steps
The nine officers, part of a group of ten initially arrested, can appeal their sentences. One accused officer died of COVID-19 in 2020.
In February, United Nations experts urged India to overhaul its policing system to align with international human rights standards, citing systemic issues including custodial violence.
Reactions
While the verdict was welcomed by activists, some legal experts cautioned that capital punishment does not address the root causes of police brutality. The case has reignited debates about accountability and reform in India's law enforcement.
