All about Sivaganga custodial death in Tamil Nadu

On June 27, 2025, J. Sivagami Ammal (75), accompanied by her daughter J.P. Nikitha (36) visited Badrakali Amman Temple at Madapuram village near Thirupuvanam in Sivaganga district to offer prayers. Since Sivagami required assistance in entering the temple due to age-related ailment, Nikitha handed the car key to the temple’s temporary security guard Ajith Kumar for parking her car. Since he said he did not know driving, others helped him park the vehicle, after which he handed the key to Nikitha.

Upon returning, Nikitha noticed that around 10 sovereigns of gold that she had left behind in the car were missing. Subsequently, she complained to Thirupuvanam police. Ajith Kumar was called for an inquiry the same day and was later sent home.

On June 28, he was taken in for interrogation again by a special police team to various places including veterinary hospital, then to a place near the Adi Dravidar Boys Hostel, a private grove, the temple premises and brutally beaten up. The special team also conducted a search operation at his residence, but no recovery was made. He was thrashed with lethal weapons and chilli powder was poured on his face and private parts.

Later, when Ajith Kumar was taken to a private hospital, the doctor refused to provide treatment, following which he was taken to Thirupuvanam Government Hospital in an autorickshaw, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

The preliminary autopsy report revealed that his body bore more than 30 injury marks.

After-effects

After public outrage and political backlash, initially, six police personnel were suspended and a day later, five policemen were arrested and charged with murder based on post-mortem and inquest report.

Then, Sivaganga Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashish Rawat was shifted out without posting and Manamadurai Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) N. Shanmugasundaram to whom the special team reported was also suspended.

The Tamil Nadu government admitted to the custodial death at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court after being rapped by the judges and transferred the probe to CBI within a day of transferring it to the CB-CID. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin apologised for the police brutality to Ajith Kumar’s mother B. Malathi while speaking over phone.

B. Naveen Kumar, the victim’s brother was given government job as a technician at Aavin and three cents of land.