By Our Correspondent

National News – Nine policemen in India have been sentenced to death for torturing and killing a father and son in 2020, who were detained for allegedly violating Covid-19 lockdown rules.

The Additional District Judge in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, found the officers guilty of murder and evidence tampering.

The victims, trader Jeyaraj, 59, and his son Benniks, 31, ran a mobile shop and were reportedly arrested for keeping their business open beyond permitted hours.

The custodial deaths sparked nationwide outrage over police brutality.

Following widespread protests, the Tamil Nadu government transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

During the trial, the CBI examined over 50 witnesses and emphasized that the killings had “shaken public conscience,” justifying the severest punishment.

The court described the case as “rarest of the rare,” underscoring the gravity of the officers’ abuse of authority.

The CBI investigation revealed that the father and son were allegedly subjected to brutal torture while in police custody.

All nine officers were convicted of murder and destroying evidence. India executes death sentences by hanging, though executions remain rare.

The last high-profile executions were in March 2020, when four men convicted of the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder were hanged, prompting nationwide protests.

The ruling raises questions about police accountability and the enforcement of human rights during emergency regulations, such as the Covid-19 lockdown.

The court’s decision also sends a strong message about the legal system’s commitment to protecting citizens against abuse of power.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in India regarding custodial deaths and the measures needed to ensure law enforcement agencies adhere to strict ethical and legal standards.