TN CM Stalin Vows Tough Action After Temple Guard’s 'Custodial Death' Sparks Row, CPI-M Demands Murder Case
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday issued a stern warning that his government would take tough action in cases of custodial deaths, reiterating the state’s commitment to crime prevention and justice. Chairing a law and order review meeting, Stalin asserted that under the Dravidian model, offenders—whether rowdies, politically connected individuals, or even policemen—would face swift and appropriate punishment.
In a post on ‘X’, Stalin emphasised, “The government’s action against dereliction of duty will be very stringent in matters involving drugs, illicit liquor, women’s safety, and lockup deaths. Anyone who fails in their duty will face extremely severe action from the government.”
Opposition AIADMK Demands Probe & Compensation As 6 Cops Suspended
The chief minister’s remarks came amid widespread outrage over the alleged custodial death of 28-year-old Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard in Sivaganga district. Kumar reportedly died while in police custody at the Tirubuvanam police station on June 28 during questioning over a theft involving missing gold and cash from a devotee’s car, news agency PTI reported.
Ajith Kumar, a temporary guard according to CPI(M), was reportedly taken to the station for questioning as part of an investigation into missing valuables from a devotee’s car. After his death, six police personnel were suspended.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami called for a thorough investigation, demanding a committee led by the district judge to uncover the truth. He declared in a statement, “In order to facilitate a comprehensive investigation, to bring out the whole truth, a committee headed by the district judge should be set up, and action must be taken against those responsible. Also, due compensation must be extended to the kin of the deceased.”
Palaniswami further criticised Stalin, accusing him of failing to manage the police force, which is directly under his control, and described him as a “doll chief minister.”
DMK Ally CPI(M) Calls for Murder Case
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), an ally of the ruling DMK, condemned the incident and demanded stringent legal action. The party insisted, “A murder case must be registered, and the policemen who perpetrated the crime must be brought to book,” and also called for a government job for a family member of the deceased along with compensation.
Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi chief Panruti T Velmurugan echoed these demands, stating that a murder case should be filed against the police personnel involved, and legal measures must ensure their punishment.
BJP, AMMK, and PMK Slam Government’s Record
Tamil Nadu BJP alleged that the DMK administration had turned the state into the “motherland of lockup deaths,” claiming that 24 custodial deaths had occurred during the current regime.
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary TTV Dhinakaran attacked Stalin, saying, “Now, what answer is he going to give for police violence under his rule against the common people,” and accused him of shedding “fake tears” over custodial deaths after watching films on the issue.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss pointed out there had been 28 custodial deaths in the past four years under the DMK government, which he described as an extreme violation of human rights. Drawing a parallel to the Sathankulam custodial deaths under the AIADMK regime, he said, “If the chief minister has a conscience, he should quit his post.”
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