Custodial death: Judge questions cops, inspects lock-up at Thiruppuvanam

Madurai: Several police personnel, including the suspended Manamadurai deputy superintendent of police, appeared before the IV Additional District Judge S John Sundarlal Suresh on Saturday, the fourth day of the judicial inquiry into the custodial death of 27-year-old B Ajith Kumar at Thiruppuvanam in Sivaganga district.

The judge, acting on directions from the Madurai bench of the Madras high court, questioned Thiruppuvanam police inspector Ramesh Kumar, special sub-inspector Sivakumar, ADSP Sukumaran, and constable Ilayaraja. Suspended Manamadurai DSP Shanmugasundaram was interrogated in detail for nearly three hours.

The proceedings, held at the Thiruppuvanam police station, began around 9 am. The judge inspected the lock-up where Ajith was allegedly tortured and examined documents related to the case. The inquiry focused on police actions from the time Ajith was picked up near a temple in Madapuram on June 28 until his death the following day.

The FIR initially cited an "epileptic seizure" as the cause of death. However, the post-mortem revealed over 40 external injuries and signs of brain haemorrhage. CCTV footage from inside the station was submitted to the judge on Saturday.

Over the past three days, the judge has recorded statements from Ajith's mother Malathy, his brother Naveen Kumar, temple staff, and doctors from Thiruppuvanam Government Hospital and Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. The final report is expected to be submitted to the high court on July 8.

Meanwhile, ousted AIADMK leader and coordinator of the party's Thondargal Urimai Meetpu Kuzhu, O Panneerselvam, visited Ajith's family in Madapuram and offered ₹2 lakh as financial assistance. "During Jayalalithaa's tenure, the police were under strict control. Now, officers are misusing their power and violating human rights," he said, demanding immediate arrests.

DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth, who also met the family, criticised the government's response. "A young man died in custody. A mere apology from the chief minister is not enough. The government must act with transparency and resolve," she said.

Both leaders demanded justice for Ajith and action against the senior officials responsible.

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