Tamil Nadu custodial death case handed over to CBI after court criticism

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced the transfer of the custodial death case of 27-year-old Ajith Kumar, a temple guard, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The move follows intense public outcry and strong criticism from the Madras High Court over the incident, which occurred at the Thiruppuvanam police station in Sivaganga district.

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Stalin confirmed that five police personnel have been named as accused in the case, describing their actions as indefensible and unacceptable. Emphasising the importance of a fair and impartial investigation, he said the state government has decided to involve the CBI to eliminate any suspicion surrounding the probe.

The Chief Minister’s decision came soon after the Madras High Court sharply condemned the Tamil Nadu police, calling the incident a “brutal act” and stating that “the state has killed its own citizen.” Justice SM Subramaniam expressed deep concern after reviewing Ajith Kumar’s post-mortem report, which revealed 44 injuries, including signs that chilli powder had been applied to his wounds, mouth, and ears.

The court remarked that even a hardened criminal wouldn’t inflict such torture, underlining the severity of police brutality in this case. The Tamil Nadu government has pledged full cooperation to the CBI, as calls for justice continue to mount in what has become a deeply disturbing case of custodial violence.