**Five Tamil Nadu Police Officers Arrested in Custodial Death Case**
Five police officers in Tamil Nadu have been arrested and placed in judicial custody until July 15 in connection with the alleged custodial death of 27-year-old Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard from Sivagangai district. The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
In the wake of this incident, the Superintendent of Police for Sivagangai, IPS Ashish Rawat, has been reassigned, with IPS G Chandeesh taking over the role. Chandeesh previously served as the Superintendent of Police for Ramanathapuram.
Ajith Kumar was detained for questioning regarding a jewellery theft case on June 27 and was found dead the following day. His brother has alleged that police brutality led to his death, a claim echoed by opposition leaders who have condemned the incident and called for accountability.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) obtained by media sources, Head Constable Kannan reported that the Inspector of Thiruppuvanam and the Deputy Superintendent of Police directed officers to obtain a detailed confession from Ajith about the stolen jewellery. The report indicates that Ajith initially named several individuals before allegedly confessing to the theft and guiding police to a cowshed where the items were supposedly hidden.
The FIR further states that during the search, Ajith attempted to escape by removing an asbestos sheet, which led to him slipping and falling. Kannan claimed he left the scene with other suspects to return them to their families, leaving Ajith in the custody of four other officers: Prabhu, Anand, Raja, and Sankaramanikandan. Later, Kannan received a call indicating that Ajith had suffered an epileptic seizure while trying to escape again and had been transported to Thiruppuvanam Hospital. He was subsequently referred to Sivagangai Government Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 11:45 AM on June 28.
The autopsy report has raised serious questions about the police’s account, revealing at least 18 injuries on Ajith’s body, including wounds on his elbows, ankles, cheeks, hips, and ribs, as well as dried blood in both ears and signs of blunt force trauma. The extensive nature of the injuries has led to allegations of custodial violence.
In response to the situation, a petition is being filed with the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench by actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, seeking a court-monitored investigation into Ajith Kumar’s death. The petition calls for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure an impartial and accountable inquiry.
Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has condemned the incident, labeling it a “murder committed by the police under Stalin’s government.” He highlighted the shocking nature of the injuries detailed in the autopsy report, suggesting that they indicate a violent cause of death.
**FAQ**
**What led to the arrest of the Tamil Nadu police officers?**
The officers were arrested in connection with the alleged custodial death of Ajith Kumar, who died while in police custody after being detained for questioning in a jewellery theft case.
