'They tied his hands and beat him even when...': Ajith Kumar's brother reveals horrific details of custodial torture

The alleged custodial death of 27-year-old Ajith Kumar, a resident of Thirupuvanam near Sivaganga district, has triggered widespread public outcry and judicial scrutiny, putting the M.K. Stalin-led DMK government in a tight spot. Though the government has suspended six policemen as a face-saving measure, the death of Ajith Kumar—who worked as a security guard at the Madapuram Bhadrakali Amman Temple—has ignited protests and outrage across the state.

 

 

 

Ajith Kumar, as per eyewitness records and the autopsy report had suffered serious injuries, external and internal. More than 18 grievous injuries were found all over his body, of which 15 were external, according to the autopsy report. The post mortem was conducted for more than five hours at the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital. The final autopsy report is awaited.

 

 

According to eyewitness accounts recorded by Judicial Sub-Magistrate Venkatesh Prasad, Ajith Kumar was severely assaulted by policemen in the presence of his brother, Naveen Kumar. Naveen, who was also picked up by the police, was beaten and later released. While in custody, Naveen reportedly witnessed Ajith collapse and die after being subjected to severe physical torture.

 

 

 

Speaking to THE WEEK over phone from Thirupuvanam, Naveen was inconsolable. “The police asked us to confess that my brother had stolen the jewellery. They tied his hands and beat him even when he cried for help. They asked us to return the stolen jewellery. But how can we confess something that we did not do? They made me kneel down before my brother and physically tortured me with lathi. They said my brother will only confess if he witnesses me being beaten,” Naveen said. 

 

Ajith was arrested on June 27 after two women—Sivakami and her daughter Nikita—filed a complaint alleging that ten sovereigns of gold jewellery had gone missing from their car. Ajith, who worked as a security guard at the temple, had parked the vehicle after the two women alighted and went inside to offer prayers.

 

 

According to sources Naveen, Ajith and three others were picked up by the police special team. They were taken to various locations in Thirupuvanam in the name of interrogation. “We were not taken to the police station. All of us were beaten and my brother lost consciousness,” says Naveen. Ajith, allegedly lost consciousness.

 

 

 

Increasing judicial heat against the case

 

 

 

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Monday slammed police excess asking “was he a terrorist?” Hearing the case 

 

Justices S M Subramaniam and C V Karthikeyan asked why Ajit Kumar was apprehended in such a manner. The bench also demanded explanations from the police citing 24 custodial deaths in the past four years in Tamil Nadu. The court also expressed serious concerns over the circumstances of the arrest and treatment by the police and ultimately questioned how lawful and proportional the police usage of force was. 

 

 

 

With the public outcry against the growing up, the court has adjourned the case to Tuesday for further hearing. The court has granted additional time for the government to respond. 

 

 

 

The political heat 

 

 

 

The case has turned political with the opposition AIADMK alleging that this is the 25th custodial death case, after the DMK government came to power in 2021. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami demanded a judicial probe and immediate compensation for Ajit Kumar’s family and accused Sralin of failing to control the increasing police excess in Tamil Nadu. In a statement on Sunday, Palaniswami mocked the chief minister recalling his comments about watching actor Surya’s Jai Bhim. “Those found guilty should face legal action. Custodial deaths cannot be justified. The Chief Minister must take responsibility,” Palaniswami said in his statement. 

 

 

 

The opposition BJP also slammed the Stalin-led DMK government for the custodial death. The BJP State President Nainar Nagendran raised several questions to the chief ministers and sought responsible answers. “Relatives say Ajit was beaten for two days by seven policemen. Last week, even women trying to file a sexual harassment complaint were attacked at a police station. This is becoming a pattern,” Nagendran said. He also called for a transparent and fair probe by the state.

 

 

 

With an increasing political heat and judicial scrutiny, the case has turned to be a thorn in the flesh for the ruling DMK. In fact this is not the first custodial death since the DMK government took charge. The first was the death of Vignesh, a young man in Chennai and then came up the most infamous custodial torture by a police officer Balveer Singh in the Tirunelveli district.

India