Ajith Kumar, employed as a temple guard at the Madapuram Kaliamman temple in Thirupuvanam, Sivaganga district, was taken into police custody for questioning in connection with a theft at the temple. He later died while in custody, prompting allegations of custodial torture from his family.
According to the autopsy, Kumar had numerous abrasions and contusions on his forehead, arms, knee, foot, and gluteal region. The report also highlighted signs of cerebral congestion—an accumulation of blood in the brain’s vessels—often associated with blunt force trauma to the head.
Henri Tiphagne, a human rights activist and executive director of People’s Watch, condemned the incident as torture. Tiphagne further criticised the misuse of police vehicles and praised the Madurai Government Hospital dean for documenting the injuries thoroughly in the autopsy. He noted that the police department has still not acknowledged the possibility of torture. “India does not have an anti-torture law and has yet to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture, despite repeated reminders since 1997,” he told NDTV. Calling for legislative action, Tiphagne urged the state to introduce what he called the “Ajith Kumar Anti-Torture Law”.
The case has become a flashpoint in Tamil Nadu politics. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, responding to the growing pressure, announced on July 1 that the investigation will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). “Given that five police personnel have been named as accused, and in order to avoid any suspicion about the investigation, I have ordered a CBI probe. The Tamil Nadu government will fully cooperate,” Stalin said.
All five accused officers have been arrested. The Deputy Superintendent of Police has been suspended, and the Sivaganga Superintendent of Police has been placed under compulsory wait.
Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran has announced plans to visit Ajith Kumar’s family in Thirupuvanam on July 6 to offer his condolences.
