Alleged custodial death in Sivaganga: Edappadi Palaniswami demands probe by judicial magistrate, compensation

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Sunday (June 29, 2025), demanded an investigation by a judicial magistrate and compensation for the bereaved family of a 27-year-old man in Sivaganga district who died allegedly during police custody.

B. Ajith Kumar, a temporary temple security guard at Madapuram, was taken into custody by the Thirupuvanam police on a complaint that a devotee’s gold jewels were missing. Alleging that Ajith Kumar died after being assaulted by the police, his relatives staged a protest and refused to take possession of his body, the former Chief Minister said in a social media post.

“Even if the police believed that an accused person had indeed committed an offence, they could only follow the legal procedure and arrest him before getting him remanded in judicial custody. They cannot take the law into their own hands,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

He condemned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his alleged inability to administer the police force. 

AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran criticised the DMK government and the Chief Minister for the alleged custodial death. He urged the Chief Minister to take initiatives for police reforms.