TVK chief Vijay leads protest in Chennai against custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay, on Sunday (July 13, 2025), criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for “hiding behind the Union government” by transferring the custodial death case of Ajith Kumar, the temple security guard at the Madappuram Bathrakaliamman temple in Sivaganga district, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), describing the agency as a “puppet in the hands of the BJP and RSS.”

Mr. Vijay led a protest organised by the party at Swami Sivananda Salai in Chennai, demanding justice for the victims of custodial deaths that took place in Tamil Nadu in the last four years of DMK regime. Speaking at the demonstration, the actor-turned politician said Mr. Stalin’s apology to Ajith Kumar’s family was inadequate. “That is not enough. What about the 24 others who died due to custodial torture during your tenure? Why didn’t you apologise to all their families? Why haven’t you paid them compensation? Do it now,” he said.

Questioning the government’s move to transfer the case to the CBI, Mr. Vijay, who wore a black shirt at the protest, said, “When the Sathankulam custodial death case was transferred to the CBI, you [Mr. Stalin] called it an insult to the Tamil Nadu police. Now you are doing the same.” He alleged that the CBI was a “puppet in the hands of the BJP-RSS” and accused Mr. Stalin of “hiding behind the Union government.”

“If courts have to intervene in everything, from the sexual assault of a student at Anna University to the custodial death of Ajith Kumar, what is the role of the Chief Minister and what is the purpose of the government,” he asked.

‘Sorry Ma’ model of government

“You have no answers. All you have is ‘sorry’. This is a ‘Sorry Ma’ model of government,” he charged. Mr. Vijay demanded that the DMK government take immediate steps to restore law and order before the end of its term.

Protesters also raised slogans condemning custodial deaths and called for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the direct supervision of the Madras High Court to ensure a fair probe. They also urged the government to release a White Paper detailing the 24 alleged custodial deaths over the past four years.

Earlier on Saturday, Mr. Vijay met the families of over 15 alleged custodial death victims (who died during the last four years of DMK regime) at the party headquarters at Panaiyur near Chennai.