The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on Tuesday strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu government over its handling of the alleged custodial death of Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old temple security guard from Sivaganga. The court termed the government’s response “insufficient” and raised a series of pointed questions over procedural lapses and delay in investigation.
Ajith Kumar was picked up by police on 27 June 2025 in connection with a jewellery theft complaint and was found dead the following day. The post-mortem report revealed 18 injuries on his body, suggesting custodial torture. Five police personnel have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody till 15 July 2025. The state government has also transferred Superintendent of Police IPS Ashish Rawat, replacing him with IPS G Chandeesh.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the High Court questioned why an FIR was not registered at the time the initial complaint of jewellery theft was made—the very complaint that led to Ajith’s detention.
The government counsel responded that a preliminary enquiry was needed before an FIR could be registered, but the court expressed dissatisfaction with this explanation.
The bench demanded clarity on several aspects of the investigation. It asked under whose authority the probe was transferred to a special investigation team, and why the post-mortem report had not yet been submitted to the magistrate. “Is the government working for the people or not?” the court asked bluntly, further questioning the decision to transfer the SP instead of suspending him.
The court directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to clarify who had authorised the formation of the special investigation team and raised concerns about a possible cover-up. It also questioned whether steps were taken to shield the accused officers from CCTV surveillance, and who had permitted the movement of Ajith across various locations over two days.
“Who handed over Ajith to the special team? Who gave permission to take him around various locations for two days? Why wasn’t the autopsy report immediately handed over to the magistrate?” the bench asked.
The judges also said they would await Ajith’s medical report to verify allegations raised by his family that chilli powder was used during torture.
The court ordered Sakthiswaran, a temple staffer who recorded a video allegedly showing Ajith being assaulted by police, to appear for the next hearing at 3 PM.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has said action is expected against a senior official as well, amid rising public pressure over the incident.
🚫👀 Highlights from today's proceedings in the Madurai bench of the Madras HC under Justice S.M.Subramaniam and Dr.Justice A.D.Maria Clete today.
{Wish I could have uploaded more}#JusticeForAjithkumar #Tamilnadu #DMK pic.twitter.com/Eq6aNSwZ90
— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) July 1, 2025
(With inputs from India Today)
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