The custodial death of a 27-year-old temple security guard, B Ajith Kumar, in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district has sparked public outrage and led to the arrest of five police personnel, raising serious questions about police brutality and custodial torture.

What do we know about the case?

Late Monday night, five policemen were arrested in connection with Ajith Kumar’s death following alleged custodial torture. Kumar was initially picked up for questioning on June 27 regarding a theft complaint involving gold jewellery from a devotee’s car at Madapuram Badrakaliamman Temple, where he worked as a temporary security guard.

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Though released after initial questioning, he was detained again the next day by a special team. He later died at Madurai’s Government Rajaji Hospital on Saturday. Following public outcry and a strong rebuke by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, police registered a murder case and arrested the personnel involved.

Those arrested include Head Constables Kannan and Prabhu, and Grade I Constables Raja, Anand, and Sankaramanikkamthan. A sixth policeman, driver Ramachandran, has been suspended but not arrested.

Post-mortem and investigation

Post-mortem reports and health department sources revealed that Kumar’s body bore 30–40 injury marks, including trauma to the head and wounds consistent with lathi blows. CCTV footage reportedly shows him walking unaided into custody and being released in a severely injured state.

Case handedover to CB-CID

A judicial inquest is underway. The Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal has transferred the investigation to the CB-CID. Sivaganga SP Ashish Rawat has been removed and placed on “compulsory wait,” with Ramanathapuram SP G Chandeesh given additional charge of Sivaganga district.

Opposition outcry

The case has triggered a political storm. BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran wrote to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), demanding an independent probe. He alleged the interrogation happened in a moving vehicle without oversight and condemned what he called a cover-up, citing the hurried cremation and alleged coercion of Kumar’s family.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay demanded a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT), accusing the state government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, of presiding over a police force that operates in an “inhumane and unjust” manner.

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High Court pulls up police

During the hearing of a PIL filed by an AIADMK functionary, the Madurai Bench of the High Court criticised the police’s delay in action. “This was an unarmed man in custody,” the bench noted sharply, urging authorities to treat the case with “utmost seriousness.”