The report said the burns indicate intentional infliction of pain and suffering, which is a grave violation of human rights and international laws.
Published Jul 04, 2025 | 9:44 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 04, 2025 | 9:44 AM
Ajith Kumar was employed on a contract basis as a watchman at the Madapuram Badrakaliyamman temple.
Synopsis: The autopsy report of Ajith Kumar noted approximately 50 external injuries, including cigarette burns, indicating an extremely high number of bodily injuries. The autopsy was conducted at the Madurai Medical College.
The autopsy report of Ajith Kumar, who died following an alleged custodial torture in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, noted approximately 50 external injuries, including cigarette burns, indicating an extremely high number of bodily injuries.
According to the report, these wounds likely occurred either simultaneously or in repeated succession. Such a high count of injuries is commonly seen in cases involving severe police torture or unlawful custodial interrogation, revealing excessive brutality.
The autopsy was conducted at the Madurai Medical College by Associate Professor Dr S Sadasivam and Assistant Professor Dr Angel S.
There were 12 abrasion injuries — scratches, scrapes, or skin thickening due to friction — on Ajith’s body. According to the report, these could have been caused by fingernail scratches, dragging across the floor or beatings with hard objects. The presence of abrasions in multiple areas suggests the body was dragged or that the victim struggled while being restrained.
The report said remaining injuries were mostly contusions (bruises) — bluish or black discolouration of the skin caused by blunt force trauma. These injuries indicate muscle and nerve damage from heavy blows or beatings.
It noted that each bruise was not just a single injury; though recorded as individual contusions, they revealed multiple internal impacts at each site. This shows that the same spot was repeatedly targeted, pointing to deliberate and continuous torture, suggesting a premeditated and organised form of custodial abuse.
Noting that the injuries were from multiple angles, the report said the wounds suggest attacks from various directions and possibly with different instruments such as iron rods, plastic pipes, rubber batons and other things. This indicates the victim may have been tied up and beaten by multiple people from different sides, the report said.
Further, the autopsy revealed a stab wound in the middle of the abdomen — a possible fatal injury. The report also noted a possibility that it penetrated internal organs like the stomach or intestines.
The doctors also observed a blow to the skull and internal bleeding in the brain. A severe head injury was noted with bleeding in the brain. One of the most significant findings in the autopsy was the blunt force trauma to the skull, which could result in brain damage and likely a direct cause of death.
They also found torture marks from cigarette burns — one of the most brutal forms of torture. The report said the burns indicate intentional infliction of pain and suffering, which is a grave violation of human rights and international laws.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
