Allegations of Police Brutality in Temple Guard's Custodial Death Sparks Outrage

An incident in Sivaganga has sparked outrage as allegations surface regarding the custodial death of Ajit Kumar, a temple security guard. The 28-year-old, initially detained for questioning in a theft case at the Madapuram Kaliamman temple, reportedly died due to police assault during his interrogation. His family firmly denies that his death was natural, demanding justice and accountability.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has publicly condemned the incident, calling for a judicial inquiry and compensation for Kumar's grieving family. Leveraging social media platform X, Palaniswami highlighted past occurrences of police misconduct and called upon the DMK government for immediate action. 'The police must operate within legal limits,' he asserted, urging a comprehensive investigation led by the District Judge.

Following his death, Kumar's relatives refused to accept his body, staging a protest that has put pressure on local authorities. In response, the Sivaganga District Superintendent of Police confirmed that six officers from the crime branch involved in the questioning have been suspended. An active investigation is ongoing to uncover the events leading to Kumar's untimely demise.

(With inputs from agencies.)