Judicial custody of 5 cops extended

Sivaganga: With the CBI team continuing its probe into the custodial death of temple security guard B Ajith Kumar in Thiruppuvanam on Tuesday, the judicial custody of five police personnel who have been arrested in the case and lodged in prison has been extended till July 29.

The five policemen have been arrested in connection with Ajith Kumar's death on June 28 during interrogation at Madapuram Bathrakaliamman temple in Thiruppuvanam in a gold jewellery theft case. The five were later remanded in judicial custody till July 15. On Tuesday, the Tiruppuvanam judicial magistrate extended their custody till July 29.

Sources said the CBI team on Tuesday visited Thiruppuvanam police station and conducted inquiry with the policemen there, including the inspector. CBI officials also visited district collector K J Praveen Kumar and sought his assistance for making arrangements during the course of investigation. On Monday, the CBI team led by investigating officer deputy superintendent of police Mohit Kumar, and a team of officers, had inspected the spots where Ajith Kumar had reportedly been taken to.

Meanwhile, the AIADMK IT wing's official social media handles released a video on Tuesday, claiming that it was shot when an illegal ‘khap panchayat' was being held with policemen and DMK representatives at a marriage hall as Ajith Kumar's family was protesting, refusing to receive Ajith's body. "When this video was being taken, the villagers were stopped by the police. Why hold them discreetly inside a marriage hall and hold a ‘khap panchayat'? Who are they protecting? This only shows how chief minister M K Stalin does not have any control over the police," it said.

The 47-second clip showed several people, including policemen inside a hall while villagers were trying to get inside by banging and opening the door. A man is seen coming to the window as the video is being shot trying to stop the person recording. Another CCTV camera video footage shows policemen in plain clothes picking up Ajith Kumar's brother Naveen Kumar from the roadside in a police vehicle.