Sivaganga custodial death: Case transferred to CB-CID, SP Ashish Rawat shifted without posting

Hours after five policemen were arrested on charges of murder in connection with the death of a 27-year-old temporary temple security guard in Sivaganga district following alleged custodial torture, Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal, on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) issued orders transferring the case to the CB-CID. 

The Sivaganga Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashish Rawat was shifted out without posting. Tamil Nadu government issued orders posting him on compulsory wait in the office of the DGP, Chennai. The Ramanathapuram SP G. Chandeesh has been given additional charge of Sivaganga district.

Late on Monday night, the Thirupuvanam police registered a murder case against five policemen attached to a special team that picked up the victim Ajith Kumar (27) for interrogation a couple of days ago. After interrogation, he fell unconscious and was declared dead when taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. 

While the family of Ajith Kumar the alleged that he was beaten to death by the special team comprising six police personnel, police claimed that he suffered an ailment and died. 

He was working as a temporary security guard at Batharakaliamman temple in Madapuram village and was taken into custody after a woman lodged a complaint that gold jewels and cash kept in her car were found missing when she returned after darshan. Ajith Kumar had helped in parking the vehicle, police sources said. 

Five policemen were arrested and charged with murder based on post-mortem and inquest report. The police also relied on eyewitness statements. The accused police personnel were produced in a court on Tuesday morning, sources added. 

BJP seeks NHRC probe

BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran, on Tuesday, wrote to the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an independent investigation by the agency in the case.

In his letter, Mr. Nagenthran, citing media reports and preliminary post-mortem findings, said Ajith Kumar had suffered multiple grievous injuries, indicating possible custodial torture. He alleged that the interrogation was carried out in a moving vehicle and without judicial oversight.

Referring to alleged custodial death incidents in Tamil Nadu since the DMK assumed office, Mr. Nagenthran said, “These incidents are an indictment of a systemic breakdown in custodial protocol, a climate of impunity and a lack of institutional accountability. The rapid cremation of the victim, reports of coercion on the victim’s family, and the initial framing of the death as due to seizure point to an attempt to suppress evidence and pre-empt due process,” he said.

He urged the NHRC to initiate a high-level independent probe under its supervision, seek a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government on all custodial deaths in the last five years, and ensure compensation and rehabilitation for the families of victims of custodial violence.

TVK demands SIT formation

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the direct supervision of the Madras High Court to probe the alleged custodial torture incident.

In a statement, he said the death had triggered widespread outrage and raised serious questions in the minds of the public. The case sheds light on how the Tamil Nadu police, under the direct supervision of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who also holds the Home portfolio, is functioning in an “inhumane and unjust manner,” Mr. Vijay charged.

He claimed that the State government had initially attempted to shield those involved in the case and took action only after pressure from political parties and the intervention of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

He also sought the release of a white paper detailing the current status of alleged custodial death incidents over the past four years.

“If Mr. Stalin fails to give an assurance to the people of Tamil Nadu that such brutal incidents would never recur, the public would ensure that the DMK suffers a massive defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections,” he added.

(with inputs from N. Sai Charan)