Taking cognisance of the incident, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal transferred the case to the Crime Branch – CID (CBCID) for a detailed and impartial investigation.
Published Jun 30, 2025 | 7:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2025 | 7:08 PM
Custodial death (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: The CBCID has taken over the case of an alleged custodial death of a 27-year-old temple worker in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga, following a spot inspection by a judicial magistrate on Sunday. Ajith Kumar was reportedly taken in for questioning by the Thiruppuvanam police on Friday following a theft complaint and was declared dead at the Thiruppuvanam Government Hospital later that evening.
Judicial Magistrate Venkatesh Prasad on Sunday, 29 June inspected the spot where a 27-year-old temple worker at the well-known Madapuram Bhadrakali Amman temple in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district reportedly died in police custody.
Ajith Kumar is alleged to have died due to custodial torture during police interrogation after being taken into custody on Friday, 27 June, in connection with a reported theft.
Taking cognisance of the incident, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal transferred the case to the Crime Branch – CID (CBCID) for a detailed and impartial investigation.
“The CBCID has been asked to handle the case to ensure an independent and thorough probe,” a senior police official confirmed.
Meanwhile, six police personnel attached to the Crime Branch – Sub-Inspectors Raja, Sangaramanickam, Ramachandran, Prabhu, Anand, and Head Constable Kannan – have been placed under suspension pending further enquiry, on the orders of Sivagangai Superintendent of Police Ashish Rawat.
Chief Minister MK Stalin said that his government would take strict action against any police personnel found guilty of misconduct, while chairing a high-level law and order review meeting in Chennai.
“Be it a rowdy, someone with political influence, or a police officer – if laws are broken, punishment will follow,” he added.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary N Muruganandam, Director General of Police Shankar Jiwal, and Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun.
The chief minister also stressed the need for firm action against crimes related to drugs, illicit liquor, and violence against women. Referring to the death of Ajith, he assured an impartial investigation and justice.
Ajith Kumar was reportedly taken in for questioning by the Thiruppuvanam police following a complaint by 73-year-old Sivagami from Thirumangalam, Madurai, who had visited the Madapuram temple with her daughter, J Nikita (48).
As Sivagami required assistance, Nikita requested a wheelchair from the temple office. Ajith, a temple worker, provided the wheelchair and helped them.
Nikita also handed over her car keys to Ajith, asking him to park the vehicle.
Upon returning from darshan, the two women discovered that a cloth bag kept under the backseat – reportedly containing 10 sovereigns (approximately 80 grams) of gold jewellery – had been tampered with, and the jewellery was missing.
When questioned, Ajith allegedly gave conflicting responses. The women subsequently lodged a theft complaint at the Thiruppuvanam Police Station.
Police reportedly interrogated Ajith near the temple premises and later released him. However, his family alleged that he never returned home. They later learnt that he had again been picked up by officers from the Crime Branch for further interrogation.
According to police sources, Ajith fainted during this second round of questioning and was taken to the Thiruppuvanam Government Hospital, where he was declared dead. His body was later shifted to the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital late that night.
Ajith’s family members claimed they were kept in the dark about his death and the whereabouts of his body for several hours.
As a result, they staged a protest at the Thiruppuvanam Police Station late into the night, demanding answers and alleging custodial torture.
