A 26-year-old graduate, Akash Delison, arrested in connection with a CCTV-captured sickle attack in Manamadurai’s Zion Nagar, died in judicial custody in the early hours of Sunday, 8 March 2026, at Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital and the DMK government has not said a single word.
Akash was arrested alongside Guna (23) on Friday, 6 March 2026. Police claimed he sustained a fracture in his right leg after falling from a bridge while evading arrest. He was remanded in judicial custody until 18 March 2026 and admitted to the prisoners’ ward at Rajaji Hospital. By Sunday morning, authorities issued a terse statement that Akash had developed “breathing difficulties” and died – a version his parents, Rajesh Kannan and Anandhi, flatly reject, as reported in DT Next.
His father told reporters that Manamadurai police took Akash to a secluded forested area under the pretext of investigation, placed stones on his legs, and beat him until his bones shattered. His mother alleged that officers had openly threatened the family before the arrest: “If we get our hands on your son, we will kill him.” The family also alleged that casteist slurs were directed at Akash during the assault.
However, there has been no official response from the DMK government so far.
No minister has publicly condemned the incident, and no senior police officer has addressed the media regarding the allegations. The Chief Minister’s Office has also not issued any statement on the matter.
On the ground, the only visible administrative response has been the deployment of a police contingent led by Manamadurai DSP Raja at the Government Rajaji Hospital mortuary in Madurai, where Akash’s body remains. The deployment has been aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing any escalation of protests by relatives and local residents.
As reported in Tribune India, Akash’s family has declined to take custody of the body and has called for the personal intervention of VCK leader and MP Thol Thirumavalavan. They have also accused the police of using caste-based abuses against him during the alleged assault.
The absence of a formal response from the government has drawn attention, particularly as political reactions have been limited. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Member of Parliament Thol Thirumavalavan stated that the State government should take appropriate action against the police personnel involved if they were found guilty.
The incident has also revived concerns because it occurred at Sivaganga district where temple guard B. Ajith Kumar was tortured to death by a police special team, a fact confirmed by a Madras High Court judicial inquiry and CBI investigation, less than a year ago.
With the family refusing to accept the body and demanding action, the case has intensified scrutiny over custodial practices in the region, even as the state government has yet to publicly address the allegations.
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