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Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘We want to assess your fairness': Madras High Court seeks reports on probe into temple guard's custodial death
Taking a stern view of the custodial death of a temple security guard in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to submit reports and summoned key witnesses, including the man who filmed the victim being thrashed. After the hearing, the case was transferred to Tamil Nadu CB-CID and Sivaganga SP Ashish Rawat put under 'compulsory waiting'. B Ajith Kumar, 27, was picked up on June 28, a day after a devotee filed a complaint that 10 sovereigns of gold were missing from her car, which Ajith had helped park near the Madapuram temple. After being questioned and released, a special team later detained Ajith. Witnesses alleged that he was beaten in front of his brother, Naveen, taken to multiple locations, including the cattle shed, and collapsed before being declared dead at a hospital. Hearing a PIL in the matter Tuesday, a Division Bench of Justices S M Subramaniam and A D Maria Clete sought the preliminary findings from the Thirupuvanam Judicial Magistrate and the post-mortem report from the Dean of the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai by 3 pm Tuesday. The court also directed the Executive Officer of the Badrakaliamman temple and one Shakthieeswaran, who had recorded the video, to appear before it. The purported video shows Ajith Kumar on the floor of what appears to be a cattle shed near the temple and being assaulted with a stick by a man while two others watched. The footage, believed to have been recorded by a temple employee, has gone viral on social media, sparking fresh outrage. Questioning the legality of his detention, petitioners submitted before the court that no written complaint was filed against Ajith Kumar. They alleged that ruling party functionaries tried to broker a settlement by offering the family Rs 50 lakh and a government job. The High Court reminded the officials that 'police cannot be the investigators in a case against themselves'. 'This is not mere negligence,' the court observed. 'We want to assess your fairness by seeing what action is taken against higher officials,' the court said, and asked why a special team interrogated Ajith Kumar outside the police station to avoid CCTV surveillance. 'Even if the team acted independently, senior officers are still accountable,' the bench said. After the hearing, the Tamil Nadu Police transferred the case to the CB-CID. DGP Shankar Jiwal on Tuesday put Sivaganga SP Ashish Rawat in 'compulsory waiting' at the DGP's office in Chennai. Ramanathapuram SP G Chandeesh has been given additional charge of Sivaganga. Manamadurai DSP Shanmugasundaram — the special team that detained Ajith Kumar reported to him and under whose jurisdiction the incident took place — was suspended. Five police personnel were arrested late Monday night and booked for murder based on eyewitness statements and post-mortem findings which revealed 30–40 injury marks, including trauma to the head and lower body of Ajith Kumar. Those arrested are Head Constables Kannan (Pazhayanur police station) and Prabhu (Manamadurai police station), and Grade I Constables Raja (Poovandi police station), Anand (Sivaganga Traffic), and Sankaramanikkamthan (Thirupuvanam police station). Police driver Ramachandran was suspended. Condemning the government's initial response, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran alleged, 'The rapid cremation, police denial, and coercion of the family point to systemic rot', and demanded a probe by a central agency. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay demanded that a special investigation team under the court's supervision take over the probe and accused Chief Minister M K Stalin, who also holds the Home portfolio, of failing to ensure justice. 'The government acted only after the court stepped in. People will not forget this,' he said.
Mint
01-07-2025
- Mint
5 cops arrested over custodial death of guard in Tamil Nadu; govt puts Sivagangai SP Ashish Rawat on ‘compulsory wait'
The Tamil Nadu government has transferred Sivaganga District Superintendent of Police, Ashish Rawat, and placed him on "compulsory wait" at the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Chennai after a temple security guard named Ajith Kumar allegedly died in police custody in Sivagangai, reported ANI on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Five police personnel have been arrested so far, it added. Currently, Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police (SP), G. Chandeesh, has been appointed with additional responsibilities as Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai district. The case has been handed over to CB-CID (Crime Branch, Crime Investigation Department) for further probe, while the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court heard a suo motu case in connection with the alleged custodial death of Ajith Kumar on Tuesday. Advocate Henri Tiphagne provided photographs as evidence, stating Ajith Kumar was allegedly beaten with plastic pipes and iron rods. A video showing the police assaulting Ajith Kumar was also submitted as evidence, the report said. The Tamil Nadu government had previously suspended six police officers related to the case. The government also claimed that all the legal procedures have been followed correctly and that the probe is being conducted transparently, the report added, citing a government statement. According to these procedures, a post-mortem report was acquired, and additional actions were promptly carried out upon receiving the report last night. The report said the case has now been converted into a criminal case. Ajith Kumar was taken into custody by the police for questioning following a complaint lodged by two women, Sivakami and her daughter Nikitha, who claimed that approximately 10 sovereigns of gold jewellery had disappeared from their car. A case has been officially filed at Tirupuvanam Police Station under sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act and has been referred for judicial investigation.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
TN man who died in police custody had head, chest injuries: Report
The post mortem of a temple security guard who died while in custody in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district on Monday has revealed that he had grievous internal injuries including in his head and chest and multiple external injuries, police told HT. Representational. (Getty Images) 'The entire post mortem was videographed. There is contusion in the head and chest,' a senior police official told HT on the condition of anonymity. District superintendent of police Ashish Rawat on June 29 suspended six policemen after the death of 29-year-old Ajith Kumar. Police had picked up Kumar for questioning over a case of theft on June 27. It was based on the complaint of a woman that she gave her car keys to Kumar to park the car near the premises of the (Madapuram Bhadrakali Amman) temple but when she returned her gold jewellery which was inside her bag in her car had gone missing. His younger brother Naveen Kumar who was present with him has alleged that police beat them both while they were transporting them to different locations. After Ajith complained of discomfort, police took him to the hospital on June 29 where he was declared dead. 'Six police personnel have been suspended the day the incident was reported considering seriousness and sensitivity of the case and for fair investigation,' a senior official said adding that an officer in the ADSP rank has been made the investigating officer in this case. 'Police are waiting for the post mortem report for further action.' The post mortem examination was conducted at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai and the entire process was videographed as per directions laid down in 2020 by Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madurai bench of the Madras high court in the case of custodial deaths. An inquiry by the Judicial Magistrate Venkatesh Prasad under 196(2)(a) BNSS (to conduct an inquiry when a person dies or disappears while in police custody) has been registered, the officer said. The case has triggered a political uproar since chief minister MK Stalin holds the Home portfolio. The opposition claimed that there have been more than 24 deaths in police custody since the DMK formed the government in 2021. Main opposition AIADMK moved the Madurai bench of the Madras high court over the issue on Monday urging the court to take up the issue of custodial deaths under the DMK regime suo motu (on its own accord). By Monday evening Stalin held a meeting with police officers including the Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal. Kumar's family have been protesting against his death alleging police brutality. Opposition parties, AIADMK, BJP, Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) demanded justice in the case. 'I strongly condemn this puppet Chief Minister who cannot even manage the police force that functions directly under his control,' leader of opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami said. 'I urge this so-called 'Stalin-model' of governance to immediately form a committee headed by the District Judge to conduct a full investigation, take legal action against those responsible for this death, and provide compensation to the family of the deceased.' The DMK's ally CPM (M) and VCK too urged the government to conduct an independent inquiry. According to a press statement issued by the government on Stalin's meeting, he said that, 'Police must treat people who come to file complaints with dignity and take timely action.' The chief minister has not spoken on the specific case of Ajit Kumar until the time of writing.
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- New Indian Express
15 Tamil Nadu cops to get CM medal for anti-drug work on August 15
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday announced 15 policemen from the state will receive the Chief Minister's Police Medal for outstanding work in eradicating drug production and illicit trafficking in the state. The officers who are set to receive the award on August 15 this year are: Ashish Rawat, SP of Sivagangai district, Inspector of Police, Prohibition Enforcement Wing, Melur, Madurai District, Inspector of Police, Perumanallur Police Station, Tiruppur District, Singh, Inspector of Police, Intelligence Section, Greater Chennai Police, Krishnan, Inspector of Police, R-3 Ashok Nagar L&O Police Station, South Zone, Greater Chennai Police, Inspector of Police, Prohibition Enforcement Wing, Ambattur, Avadi Police Commissionerate, Suresh kumar, Inspector of Police, NIB CID, Salem, Inspector of Police, Central Intelligence Unit, Chennai Zone. Special Sub Inspector of Police -558, Crime Headquaters, Chennai, Sub Inspector of Police, D-3 Podanur L&O Police Station, Coimbatore City. , Sub Inspector of Police, Valivalam Police Station, Nagapattinam District, Sub- Inspector of Police, Kumuli Police Station, Theni District, Special Sub-Inspector of Police -121, Central Railway Police Station, Chennai, M. Suseendran, Special Sub- Inspector of Police - 3580, NIB CID, Dindigul and C. Murugan, Inspector of Police, Serious Crime Squad, Madurai City.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
15 police officers to receive T.N Chief Minister's Police Medal for outstanding work in eradicating drugs
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday announced Chief Minister's Police Medal for outstanding work in eradicating the drug production and illicit trafficking in the State to 15 police officers in recognition of their efforts. According to an official press release, in view of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has ordered the medals to Ashish Rawat, Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District for his contribution towards drug eradication during his tenure at Thanjavur District; A. Marimuthu, Inspector, Prohibition Enforcement Wing, Melur, Madurai District; M. Vasanthakumar, Inspector, Perumanallur Police Station, Tiruppur District; N. Raja Singh, Inspector, Intelligence Section, Greater Chennai Police; S. Radha Krishnan, Inspector, Ashok Nagar L&O Police Station, Greater Chennai Police. The others are M. C. Ramesh, Inspector, Prohibition Enforcement Wing, Ambattur, Avadi Commissionerate; K. Babu Suresh Kumar, Inspector, NIB CID, Salem; T. Anbarasi, Inspector, Central Intelligence Unit, Chennai Zone; S. Ramesh, Special Sub-Inspector, Crime Headquarters, Chennai; N. Dhanabalan, Sub-Inspector, Podanur L&O Police Station, Coimbatore City; M. Eranian, Sub-Inspector, Valivalam Police Station, Nagapattinam District; K. Kathiresan, Sub-Inspector, Kumuli Police Station, Theni District; C. Gurusamy, Special Sub-Inspector, Central Railway Police Station, Chennai; M. Suseendran, Special Sub-Inspector, NIB CID, Dindigul; and C. Murugan, Inspector, Serious Crime Squad, Madurai City. They were selected based on recommendations of the Director General of Police/Head of Police Force. The medals will be presented by the Chief Minister during Independence Day celebrations.
