'Even Murderers Don’t Inflict Such Injuries': Madras High Court Orders Judicial Probe in Custodial Death

In a strongly worded interim order, the Madras High Court on July 1, 2025, took serious note of the alleged custodial death of Ajithkumar, a 29-year-old temple guard, and directed a thorough judicial inquiry while pulling up the state authorities over lapses in investigation and potential destruction of evidence.

Ajithkumar was reportedly picked up by a special police team on June 27 following a theft complaint lodged by devotees who had visited the Badrakali Amman Temple in Madapuram. The complaint involved nine sovereigns of gold missing from a parked car. Though initially no FIR was registered, Ajithkumar was summoned by police and subsequently taken into unofficial custody by a team of five constables headed by a head constable under instructions from the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

According to submissions by the petitioners, Ajithkumar was taken to multiple locations including a veterinary hospital, a boys’ hostel, and a private grove—where he was allegedly tortured brutally. Eyewitnesses claim that chilli powder was rubbed on his private parts and he was beaten with lethal weapons. He was declared brought dead at the Government Hospital, Thiruppuvanam, on June 28, but an FIR was not registered until his mother filed a complaint the next day at 2 a.m.

In response, the state admitted that custodial death had occurred. Five constables were arrested and suspended, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police was also suspended. The investigation has been transferred to the CBCID, but petitioners, including villagers and advocates, have demanded a CBI probe and alleged a wider conspiracy involving senior police officials and local political leaders. Reports also surfaced about an alleged attempt at a monetary settlement with the family of the deceased.

The court expressed concern that evidence may have been destroyed. It noted that CCTV footage from the temple was taken by a Sub-Inspector and handed to a police unit, but no independent protocol was followed to preserve the chain of custody. It also recorded that the Judicial Magistrate was unable to conduct an inquest due to police-created tension in the area.

In its interim directions, the court appointed the IV Additional District Judge, Madurai, to conduct a judicial enquiry and ordered all evidence—including CCTV footage and call records of implicated officials—to be submitted to him in sealed custody by July 2. The State was also directed to ensure protection for all eyewitnesses and submit a status report on action against higher officials by July 8.

“The injuries inflicted were so brutal that even an ordinary murderer would not have gone to this extent,” the court observed, adding that Ajithkumar was not even an accused at the time of the incident.

The case will be heard next on July 8.

Case Title: Karthickraja vs. The Home Secretary Office of the Home Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu and Others

Download order here