While the Sathankulam custodial deaths rocked the state, when it came to the custodial deaths in the DMK regime, not a whimper was heard from the same activist/celebrity gang. Following the horrific murder of temple guard Ajithkumar, social media was abuzz with the numbers of custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu, especially since it came to power. Numbers vary between 24 and 36 – some documented, some not.
24 custodial deaths in 4 years.
All under the watch of Tamil Nadu CM @mkstalin , who directly controls the police.From Sathankulam to Sivagangai, innocents have been tortured and killed in custody.
No justice. No reform. No accountability.Is this the Dravidian model of… pic.twitter.com/wnXVop7pVt
— J.Sakthe Krishnaan (@SaktheK) July 1, 2025
Let’s take a look at some the documented incidents of death due to police torture that deserve as much traction as that of the Sathankulam case especially during the DMK regime from 2021 to date.
#1 June 2021 – Murugesan
In June 2021, Murugesan, a fruit stall owner, died after being beaten by police at the Pappanaickenpatti check post. A video circulated on social media showed Special Sub-Inspector Periyasamy thrashing Murugesan with a lathi until he became motionless. Murugesan had engaged in an argument with the police while being penalised for drunk driving. Periyasamy was arrested following a complaint.
#2 August 2021 – Sathyanathan
Sathyanathan, along with Abdul Majeed and Surya from Sirkazhi, was taken to the Thanjavur West Police Station for questioning in connection with a jewellery theft case. During the course of the interrogation, Sathyanathan died while in custody, raising serious concerns about the circumstances of his death.
#3 September 2021 – Manikandan
In Paramathi Vellore, a lorry driver named Manikandan from the Sevalkattu Mangli area of Pandamangalam was arrested by the local police in relation to a sexual complaint. While being questioned, Manikandan suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. He died shortly after, prompting allegations of custodial abuse.
#4 December 2021 – Manikandan
In Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram district, a college student named Manikandan was picked up by the police for interrogation. Although he was later released and returned home, he died unexpectedly the following morning. The incident sparked suspicion about the treatment he received during police custody.
#5 January 2022 – Prabhakaran
In January 2022, a physically challenged man named Prabhakaran was locked up for allegedly stealing jewellery. Falling ill in jail, he was rushed to Namakkal Government Hospital and later to Salem Government Hospital, where he died on 11 January 2022. Prabhakaran’s relatives alleged police torture as the cause of death, resulting in the suspension of three police officers.
#6 February 2022 – Sulaiman
A 42-year-old man suspected of stealing a two-wheeler died on Friday evening while in police custody during interrogation, according to officials. The deceased, identified as Sulaiman from Melapalayam, was allegedly caught by the owner of a bike that had been reported stolen from near Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TVMCH) a few days earlier. The bike owner spotted Sulaiman riding the stolen vehicle near Tirunelveli Junction and, with the help of friends, intercepted and nabbed him. After reportedly being beaten by the group, Sulaiman was handed over to the TVMCH Police, who had previously registered a case related to the theft. During interrogation, Sulaiman complained of breathing difficulties and was taken to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. However, he died en route. Police said Sulaiman had a history of theft and was facing at least 28 criminal cases.
#8 April 2022 – Vignesh
On 18 April 2022, during a routine night check at Kellys in Chennai, police stopped two youths, Vignesh (25) and Suresh (28), in an auto. The duo, found in possession of ganja and liquor, engaged in a verbal duel with the police. Vignesh later developed health complications, vomited, and had seizures. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead. Relatives reported seeing injuries on Vignesh’s body, leading to the suspension of a police sub-inspector, a constable, and a home guard personnel.
#9 April 2022 – Thangamani
In Tiruvannamalai, Thangamani was taken into police custody on 26 April 2022 for an inquiry into illegal liquor sales. Relatives alleged a false case, stating that the police demanded money for their release. The police claimed Thangamani had fits the next day, leading to his hospitalisation and subsequent death during treatment.
#10 June 2022 – Rajasekar
Rajasekar, a 33-year-old resident of Munthiri Thoppu in Tiruvallur district, was brought to the P6 Kodungaiyur police station on 11 June 2022 for an inquiry related to two burglary cases. He was pronounced dead at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital on 12 June 2022. The autopsy report revealed multiple external injuries, with two injuries occurring approximately 18-24 hours before his death.
#11 June 2022 – Siva Subramanian
In Nagapattinam district, a 44-year-old man named Siva Subramanian, employed at a cycle repair shop, died in judicial custody. Siva and his brother Ganesh were detained after a brawl with Venkatesh, who owed Ganesh ₹95,000. According to the police, Siva suffered seizures while in jail and was taken to Nagapattinam Government Hospital, where he passed away on the evening of 13 June 2022. The police attributed his death to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, dismissing reports of custodial torture.
#12 December 2022 – Gokul Shree
In December 2022, Gokul Shree, a 17-year-old teen, was arrested on December 28 by the Railway Police in Tambaram on suspicion of stealing a battery from a railway station. He was sent to a children correctional facility because he was a minor. On December 31, he was rushed to Chengalpet Government Hospital with complaints of seizures, where he passed away within hours.
The preliminary autopsy report showed that the child was subjected to a physical attack, had severe contusions on his legs, and several external injuries on his body. The child was beaten severely before being killed, and the majority of his injuries were were ante-mortem. The parents, however, were not given access to the complete autopsy report.
On the basis of the postmortem report, six prison officials of the correctional facility were arrested. S Mohan, 30, superintendent of prisons, P Vidyasagar, 33, assistant superintendent of prisons, J H Raj, 29, barber at the juvenile home, prison wardens D Vijayakumar, 30, M Saranraj, and teacher R Chandrababu, 40, were arrested.
4 Unverified Suspected Custodial Deaths
In addition to the above documented cases, social activist Advocate Henri Tiphagne and rights group Madurai People’s Watch, adds more custodial deaths that have reportedly occurred in Tamil Nadu between January 2021 and April 2022. Though these cases have not been independently verified, they have been referenced in regional media reports and by civil society activists.
Below is a list of four additional reported custodial deaths, following the same timeframe and concern pattern
#13 April 2021 – Rajamani (68) died at Athur Police Station in Salem district.
#14 July 2021 – Indra Prasad (45) died at Karumathampatti Police Station in Coimbatore district.
#15 August 2021 – Satyavanan (35) died at West Police Station, Thanjavur district.
#16 February 2022 – Thadiveeran (38) died at Taluk Police Station, Tirunelveli district.
#17 June 2023 – Thangasamy
In June 2023, the death of a 26-year-old Scheduled Caste (Pallar community) youth, Thangasamy, who was in the custody of the Puliyangudi police in Tenkasi district died. According to reports, Thangasamy was remanded in judicial custody, but he complained of uneasiness, prompting authorities to transfer him to Tirunelveli Medical College. However, his condition deteriorated, and he subsequently passed away.
According to Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc) Section 176 (I) of the CrPC, in the event of a person’s death or disappearance in custody or if a woman is raped in custody, the Judicial Magistrate holds the authority to order an inquiry. Section 54 of the CrPC also empowers the Magistrate to appoint a medical petitioner to examine accused individuals under trial. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Sections 330 (a) and (b) allows for sentences of up to 7 years for policemen involved in cases of torture.
#18 July 2023 – Vedan
Vedan, a locksmith from Sealnayakkanpatti in Madurai district, died while being taken in for questioning by the police on suspicion. The circumstances surrounding his death raised concerns about the treatment he received during the custody process.
#19 January 2024 – Balakrishnan
In January 2024, Tamil Nadu witnessed another shocking case of alleged custodial death. M. Balakrishnan, a 36-year-old from Srivaikuntam, Thoothukkudi, travelled to Erode on 26 December 2023. The next day, while at a bar in Palayapalayam with friends, he and five others were detained by Erode police. While four were released, Balakrishnan and his friend Prakash were allegedly held in a private lodge and interrogated over an old case. His family claims he was brutally assaulted by police, leading to his hospitalisation on 28 December and eventual death on 2 January 2024 at Perundurai Government Medical College Hospital. His brother, M. Mariyappan, filed a complaint citing custodial torture. Advocate V. Maharajan, representing the family, highlighted severe injuries and alleged evidence tampering. The Madras High Court ordered a fresh post-mortem in Coimbatore on 9 January. A case under CrPC Section 176(1A) was registered at Chennimalai police station.
#20 August 2024 – Arputharaj
In August 2024, Arputharaj (33), an undertrial prisoner, died a day after being remanded to Villupuram sub-jail. Arrested on a non-bailable warrant in an assault case, he reportedly collapsed in jail and was declared dead on arrival at Villupuram Government Hospital. While police claim he fell ill suddenly, his family alleges police assault led to his death. A judicial inquiry and post-mortem have been ordered to determine the cause.
#21 September 2024 – Dravidamani
In September 2024, Dravidamani (40), arrested for illegal liquor sale, died while being taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital from Trichy Central Prison after complaining of chest pain. Police claim he collapsed during lunch and died en route to the hospital. Earlier, he was arrested by Jeeyapuram police on 26 September for possessing 66 IMFL bottles and was remanded to judicial custody. His family alleged custodial torture and staged a protest at the hospital, which was later called off after officials promised an investigation. An autopsy was conducted in the presence of a judicial magistrate before the body was handed over to the family
#22 November 2024 – Vignesh
In November 2024, a 36-year-old man named Vignesh, detained during a drug raid, died while being taken to the Pudukkottai Government Medical College Hospital after reportedly falling ill in custody. Police claimed his death was due to health complications during inquiry. He was one of 13 suspects detained after a tip-off. A case under BNSS Section 196 (suspicious death) was registered, and Judicial Magistrate A. Vijayabharathi inspected the body and questioned family members. An x-ray was ordered to check for internal injuries. The body was handed over to the family, while the other detainees were remanded to jail.
#23 February 2025 – Shankar
A 35-year-old history-sheeter, Shankar alias ‘Vettu’ Shankar, with over 40 criminal cases against him, died on 13 February at Karur Government Medical College Hospital while undergoing surgery. He had been arrested on 7 February after allegedly attacking a man with a sickle and sustaining injuries while trying to flee police custody.
Police claim he fractured his leg jumping off a bridge during the arrest. However, JAACT, a human rights group led by Henry Tiphagne, alleges Shankar was held in illegal detention from 6 to 8 February and tortured, leading to his death. They have demanded an independent inquiry and access to CCTV footage to verify the custodial torture claims. A judicial inquiry under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is underway.
#24 April 2025 – Senthil
In April 2025, a youth named Senthil was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Emanur forest area near Pennagaram, located in Dharmapuri district. Senthil had reportedly been under investigation as a suspect in an elephant poaching case. According to initial reports, he was allegedly taken to the forest area by authorities as part of the probe. However, he was later found dead, and officials claimed he had escaped custody while still in handcuffs a detail that has raised serious questions and fueled public skepticism. Amid mounting pressure and controversy surrounding the circumstances of his death, a CBI-CID inquiry has been ordered to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the incident.
#25 July 2025 – Ajithkumar
The state has been rocked by the news of a 27-year-old temple guard, Ajithkumar, employed under Tamil Nadu’s HR&CE Department, having died in police custody on 28 June 2025. Detained by Thirubhuvanam Police over an alleged theft of 80g of gold jewellery from a disabled devotee’s car at Madapuram Kaliamman temple, Ajith was reportedly tortured for 18 hours without any formal legal procedure. Witnesses claim he was beaten with rods, tied to a tree, and forced to drink chilli-laced water. His brother, Naveen, also alleges being beaten to force a false confession. Ajith died at Thirubhuvanam Government Hospital, but the police allegedly moved the body without informing the family. Protests erupted after news of his death spread, with demands for a CBI probe and FIRs against senior officials. Six policemen have been arrested, but critics call this a cover-up, pointing to political interference and a pattern of custodial deaths in the region.
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