Ajith Kumar, arrested on June 28 by Thiruppuvanam police over missing jewellery and cash from Madappuram Badrakaliamman temple, died in suspicious custody days later, triggering widespread public outrage
Published Jul 13, 2025 | 10:50 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 13, 2025 | 10:50 AM
Ajith Kumar was employed on a contract basis as a watchman at the Madapuram Badrakaliyamman temple.
Synopsis: The CBI has taken over the investigation into Ajith Kumar’s custodial death following a theft case filed in Sivagangai district. Tamil Nadu approved the transfer under the DSPE Act after Kumar, arrested on June 28 for a temple theft, died in suspicious police custody. The case, which drew public outrage, was also taken up by the Madras High Court
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially registered a case against Ajith Kumar, following the Tamil Nadu government’s consent to transfer the investigation of a theft case initially registered at Thiruppuvanam Police Station in Sivagangai district.
The State government issued a notification under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act on July 1, 2025 (G.O.(2D). No.194), granting permission to the CBI to probe Crime No. 303/2025, originally filed under Section 196(2)(a) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
This was later amended via a second notification (G.O.(2D). No.204, dated July 9), replacing the BNSS section with Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Acting on the state’s request, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, issued a notification on July 11, extending the CBI’s jurisdiction over Tamil Nadu to probe the case.
Ajith Kumar was taken into custody by the Thiruppuvanam police in Sivaganga district on 28 June in connection with a missing jewellery and cash complaint registered at the Madappuram Badrakaliamman temple.
Days later, his death under suspicious circumstances while in police custody sparked widespread outrage.
The case gained further momentum when the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and Maria Clete, heard a petition filed by human rights activists seeking accountability and justice.
The original FIR, filed in the early hours of June 29, 2025, by Inspector S.P. Rameshkumar, was based on a written complaint submitted by Head Constable G. Kannan of the Manamadurai Subdivision Crime Team.
The complaint detailed the theft of 9.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery and ₹2,500 in cash from a car parked outside the Madappuram Temple, allegedly by Ajith Kumar.
According to the FIR, Ajith was taken into custody for questioning on the night of June 27, 2025, after a woman named Nikkitha reported that her car keys were stolen and valuables missing.
Multiple people, including Arun, Saravanan, Navinkumar (Ajith’s brother), Dhinakaran, and Logeswaran, were interrogated after Ajith offered conflicting statements about the incident.
Despite initial denials, Ajith eventually confessed to the theft, claiming he had hidden the jewellery behind a cow shed near the temple office. However, a police search yielded no recovery. During the search operation, Ajith attempted to flee but was caught after injuring his leg.
The report also stated that cybercrime teams retrieved call records and that several of Ajith’s acquaintances were questioned, all of whom denied involvement and pointed to Ajith as the likely perpetrator.
With the FIR now under the purview of the CBI, the central agency is expected to examine the inconsistencies in Ajith Kumar’s statements, potential accomplices, and whether standard investigative procedures were followed by the local police team.
The CBI’s investigation is expected to determine whether there were lapses or misconduct in the original handling of the case.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
