The Madras High Court on Tuesday took significant steps in the case of the alleged custodial death of 29-year-old Ajithkumar from Sivaganga, appointing an independent Enquiry Officer and permitting a CB-CID investigation into the incident that has triggered widespread public outrage across Tamil Nadu.
Ajithkumar, a resident of Tiruppuvanam, was reportedly picked up by a special police team in connection with a theft complaint. According to submissions made in court, he was detained without a formal FIR and subjected to brutal custodial violence at multiple undisclosed locations, including a temple cowshed in Madappuram, where he was allegedly beaten with sticks and pipes and had chilli powder thrown in his eyes and mouth.
Hearing the writ petition filed by the victim’s family seeking registration of a murder case, the court appointed John Sunderlal Suresh, the 4th Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai, as the Enquiry Officer. The court directed that all relevant evidence and files be handed over to him within two to three days. He has been tasked with submitting his report by July 8.
Human rights lawyer and social activist Henry Tiphagne, who represented the family in court, informed reporters that the High Court has also allowed the CB-CID to investigate the matter, following the state’s earlier decision to transfer the case to the agency. The CB-CID has been instructed to file a status report in due course.
The court was also apprised that the officer leading the special police team under the Manamadurai Deputy Superintendent of Police has been suspended. Tiphagne emphasized that the incident reflects a serious breach of law, as the victim was allegedly tortured without due legal procedure under the pretext of an investigation.
The court’s intervention has been welcomed by civil society groups and legal experts who have raised concerns about increasing instances of custodial violence in Tamil Nadu. The matter is now under judicial and agency scrutiny, with further developments expected following the submission of the enquiry report.
