Law JusticeContemporary Tamil Nadu
Custodial death of temple guard Ajith Kumar
Temple watchman Ajith Kumar died after being held by police in Sivaganga district over a theft complaint; the case went to the CBI.
Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old contract watchman at the Madapuram Bhadrakali Amman temple in Sivaganga district, was taken into custody on 27 June 2025 in connection with a complaint about missing jewellery and died after police questioning. The autopsy reportedly recorded numerous serious injuries on his body. Five of six suspended police personnel were arrested on 30 June. After strong criticism from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the state transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which registered a murder case. The death renewed debate on custodial violence in Tamil Nadu, five years after the Sathankulam deaths.