Ajith Kumar’s Custodial Death Shocks Madurai Bench: 44 Injury Marks on Body, Judges Express Outrage
In a shocking revelation, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has expressed deep concern over the custodial death of Ajith Kumar, a young man from Thiruppuvanam in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu. During a hearing related to the case, the court reviewed the post-mortem report, which indicated that Ajith Kumar had suffered injuries in 44 different places on his body.
The judges, visibly disturbed, remarked that there was virtually no part of his body left uninjured, strongly suggesting brutal custodial torture. They criticized the police action in harsh terms, stating:
“It seems that police authority has been misused to the extent of barbaric cruelty. The manner of assault suggests this was not an isolated act but appears to be a collective, organized attack by the police.”
Sharp Questions from the Court
The court also questioned how the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had taken over the case without a First Information Report (FIR) being registered. The bench expressed serious doubts about the procedural legitimacy and transparency of the case handling, stating:
“How can the special team take over the investigation without the initial complaint being registered? This raises serious concerns about due process and accountability.”
The judges concluded that the police force was responsible for the young man’s death and went on to say that:
“This is a case where the state, through its police machinery, has essentially killed one of its own citizens. It is painful and unacceptable.”
Suspension of Responsible Officers Ordered
The court ordered that all officers involved or responsible for Ajith Kumar’s death should be suspended immediately, pending a detailed inquiry.
Additionally, the court gave the Tamil Nadu Government a two-day deadline to submit a comprehensive report on the circumstances surrounding Ajith’s death and the actions taken so far.
Public Reaction and Human Rights Concerns
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage. Human rights organizations, political leaders, and civil society activists have condemned the custodial death, comparing it to infamous past incidents such as the Jayaraj-Bennix case in Sathankulam.
There is growing pressure on the state government and judiciary to ensure swift justice, systemic police reform, and strict punishment for the guilty.
