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Court Directs CBI to Investigate Custodial Death

On Tuesday, the Madras High Court mandated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appoint an officer within a week to investigate the custodial death of a temple security guard in Sivaganga. The court's directive follows the tragic case of B Ajith Kumar, who died under suspicious circumstances.

The court instructed that the appointed officer must finalize the inquiry and present a report to the relevant court by August 20.

A bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and AD Maria Clete emphasized the need for the investigating officer to gather pertinent documents, including an inquiry report from a district judge and other evidence from the registrar of the Madurai Bench of the High Court.

This order was issued during the hearing of public interest litigation petitions concerning the case.

Additionally, the court urged the director general of prosecution to ensure that the post-mortem report is submitted to the appropriate court within a week.

The court also called upon the inspector general of police for the south zone in Madurai, along with the superintendents of police from Madurai and Sivaganga districts, to fully cooperate with the CBI during the investigation.

Furthermore, the state government was instructed to implement witness protection measures in accordance with the Witness Protection Scheme.

The state informed the court that, to maintain transparency, the inquiry into Ajith Kumar’s death had been officially transferred to the CBI through a government order. They also indicated plans to assign the investigation of an alleged theft related to the case to the central agency, with a separate government order forthcoming.

Details of the Incident Background of the Case

The 29-year-old temple security guard was detained by a six-member special police team on June 27 in connection with a theft at the Madapuram Badrakaliamman Temple. Reports suggest he endured torture at undisclosed locations, leading to his death on June 29.

It remains uncertain whether a first information report was filed prior to Kumar's interrogation.

The post-mortem examination indicated that Kumar sustained at least 44 external injuries along with severe internal bleeding.

In response to public outcry and the Madras High Court's criticism, six police officers were suspended, and five members of the special police team were arrested and placed in judicial custody.

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