Events

Death during police investigation Human Rights Commission notice – CBI investigation approaching

The death of Ajith Kumar (27), a security guard at the Madapuram Bathirakaliyamman Temple in Sivagangai district, while in police custody after being arrested in connection with a jewelry theft case, has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu.

Ajith Kumar allegedly died during an interrogation conducted by a special crime division of the Tamil Nadu police. The incident has sparked outrage both politically and socially.

Following the incident:

6 police personnel have been suspended.
5 of them have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody for 15 days.
The Sivagangai District Superintendent of Police has been transferred to the waitlist.

Amidst mounting criticism from political and civil society groups, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has ordered the case to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Meanwhile, based on a petition filed at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, Additional District Judge John Sundarlal Suresh has been appointed to conduct a judicial inquiry into the case. The judge has been conducting an on-site investigation for two consecutive days and is expected to submit his report to the High Court on July 8. Only after this will the case be formally transferred to the CBI, according to official sources.

In a significant development, the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has voluntarily initiated an independent probe into Ajith Kumar’s custodial death.

The commission has directed the Inspector General of its Investigation Wing to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report within 6 weeks.

Key Points:

Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard, died in police custody after being arrested as a suspect in a jewelry theft case.
6 police officers suspended, 5 arrested and in judicial custody.
Sivagangai SP transferred.
CM Stalin has ordered a CBI probe, pending judicial inquiry report.
Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission begins independent probe.
6-week deadline set for submitting the investigation report.