Tamil Nadu Custodial Deaths: Ajit Kumar’s Death Reignites Debate Over 24 Cases In State Since 2021
Ajit Kumar, a temple security guard, died in police custody after being questioned about a theft, sparking allegations of torture.
When Ajit Kumar, a 27-year-old temple security guard in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, was called in for police questioning over a minor theft complaint, no one imagined that a tragedy would unfold. What began as a routine probe into a missing gold ornament ended with Ajit’s lifeless body returning home, triggering allegations of custodial torture and reigniting a long-standing debate over accountability in India’s policing system.
Ajit worked as a security guard at Madapuram Kaliamman temple in Sivaganga. On June 27, he was taken in for questioning by local police after a woman complained that 80 grams of gold jewellery had gone missing from her car. She had handed over her keys to Ajit for parking during her visit to the temple. As Ajit reportedly did not know how to drive, he allegedly had asked someone else to assist in moving the vehicle.
However, Ajit died in custody on Saturday.
Five Arrested In Custodial Death Case
In response to the incident, Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday placed Sivaganga district police chief on "compulsory wait". Five policemen have been arrested in connection with the custodial death. According to a Home Department note, Ashish Rawat, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Sivaganga, was placed on compulsory wait at the Office of the Director General of Police in Chennai, as per a report on PTI.
G Chandeesh, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, has been given additional charge of Sivaganga.
An official release issued late Monday stated that six personnel were suspended on June 28. Following the receipt of the post-mortem report on Monday night, authorities stated that action was taken "without any delay".
Subsequently, murder charges were filed against five policemen and a judicial enquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Political Reactions
The incident has prompted strong political reactions. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged on X that Ajit Kumar’s death was “a murder committed entirely due to the police anarchy of the Stalin regime”. He said that all 25 custodial deaths during the current regime were human rights violations and urged the National Human Rights Commission to intervene. Palaniswami also criticised the police’s explanation of Ajit’s death being due to a seizure, comparing it to the 2022 Vignesh custodial death case.
TVK leader Vijay also issued a statement condemning the incident. He questioned the conduct of the Tamil Nadu Police Department and alleged that it operated in a cruel and unjust manner. Vijay called on the government to clarify the status of custodial death cases and whether murder charges had been filed in all relevant incidents.
'24 Custodial Deaths Since 2022'
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday initiated suo motu proceedings in connection with the alleged custodial death of Ajit. Taking the matter seriously, the court directed the state government to provide comprehensive details on each case. With the government counsel requesting more time to file a response, the court adjourned the hearing to Tuesday.
According to RTI, 24 custodial deaths have been recorded due to police excesses since 2022, reported The News Minute. Among the 24 custodial deaths, one of the cases that sent shockwaves was the death of a 17-year-old boy in Chengalpattu juvenile home in 2023. The boy, detained for petty theft, was allegedly subjected to severe abuse by railway police and staff. A post-mortem indicated 96 injuries, though initial reports had suggested food poisoning as the cause of death.
Following public concern, the state appointed retired Justice K. Chandru to investigate conditions in juvenile homes. However, the full recommendations from the committee have not yet been made public.
Reports of custodial violence have extended beyond juvenile homes. In 2024, RTI data indicated that over 300 individuals entered Chennai’s Puzhal Prison with fractured limbs. Police often attributed such injuries to "slips in the bathroom", as per a report on The Leaflet.
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