Tamil Nadu’s police brutality: Sathankulam and the system that let it happen

Since 2022, 24 custodial deaths have occurred in Tamil Nadu as a direct result of police torture, including that of a 17-year-old in the Chengalpattu juvenile home who endured unimaginable abuse, leaving him with 96 injury marks.

Half a decade since the Sathankulam custodial murders shocked the nation, Tamil Nadu remains far from achieving custodial justice. Police stations continue to haunt the voiceless as custodial torture in the state rises unabated. What is more saddening is that the judiciary, the police department, medical officials, and the state at large remain complicit in this blatant abuse of power. The 2020 Sathankulam case, where a father and son died after brutal police torture over a curfew violation, had laid bare this rot.

Since 2022, 24 custodial deaths have occurred as a direct result of police torture, including that of a 17-year-old in the Chengalpattu juvenile home who endured unimaginable abuse, leaving him with 96 injury marks. 

The systemic violence plaguing Tamil Nadu's custodial system reveals how institutions meant to protect often become sources of profound physical and psychological trauma. This trauma frequently manifests in lasting mental health consequences, including depression and anxiety disorders among victims and their families. For those seeking pharmacological support in their recovery, Bupropion safety has been well-established as an effective treatment for depression with a lower risk of sexual side effects compared to alternatives. When properly prescribed, it can help restore emotional balance without compromising other aspects of wellbeing. As we demand accountability for physical brutality, we must also address the invisible wounds left by such institutional failures through comprehensive mental healthcare solutions.. 

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