Fresh twists have emerged in the controversial custodial death case of 27-year-old temple security guard Ajithkumar, with the CBI’s probe revealing that the original theft allegations against him were unfounded. The agency’s findings reportedly show that Ajithkumar never left the temple’s parking area, and that members of a special police unit who assaulted him were aware that their brutal third-degree methods could prove fatal.
Ajithkumar was taken into custody following a theft complaint lodged by Dr. Nikitha, who claimed jewellery kept in a car parked at Madapuram had been stolen. During interrogation, special police personnel allegedly beat him with sticks and plastic pipes. He later died in custody, sparking outrage and protests across Tamil Nadu.
The case stemmed from an incident on 27 June 2025, when complainant Nikitha and her mother arrived at the Bhadrakali Amman Temple in Madapuram for worship. She reportedly handed over her car keys to Ajithkumar to park the vehicle. It is alleged that Ajithkumar gave the key to an auto driver Aravindh nearby to park the vehicle before the temple’s parking lot. CCTV and witness statements examined by the CBI indicate that Ajithkumar returned the keys within (5) minutes, and that the vehicle was never taken outside the temple premises afterward.
This contradicts Nikitha’s initial complaint, which alleged that Ajithkumar, along with an auto driver, and another person Arun had driven the car to Vadakarai. CBI checks of CCTV footage from key routes showed no such movement, instead recording Nikitha herself driving the car. The agency concluded that the vehicle remained at the temple until it was retrieved by her.
A CBI team, headed by DSP Mohit Kumar, has been investigating the case for the last 23 days.
BREAKING || அஜித் கஸ்டடி மரணம் – புதிய திருப்பம்.!#Ajith #custodialdeathcase #Sivagangaicustodialdeath #TNPolice #CBI #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/ZgSkD8GhrA
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) August 9, 2025
More damningly, the CBI’s investigation revealed previously that five special police personnel identified as Raja, Anand, Sankara Manikandan, Prabhu, and Kannan took Ajithkumar into their custody, suspecting him of theft. When he denied involvement, they allegedly became enraged and subjected him to a severe beating, fully aware that such violence could lead to death.
According to the updated FIR signed by ADSP Sukumaran, Ajithkumar was first taken to the Thiruppuvanam Government Hospital, then to Sivaganga Hospital, and finally brought by Raja and Sankara Manikandan to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital at 11:15 p.m. on 28 June 2025, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Following these findings, charges in the case were amended on 30 June from Section 196(2)(a) of the BNSS to Section 103(1) of the BNS. The original complainant, Kannan who was found to be an adversary in the case was removed, and direct eyewitness Naveen Kumar has been added as the new complainant.
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