Five police personnel were arrested late Monday night, June 30, 2025, in connection with the alleged custodial torture and death of Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old temple security guard, in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district. The arrests came on the same day the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court stressed the gravity of the case, with Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete noted that the victim was unarmed and in police custody, making the situation particularly serious.

Sources in both the Police and Health Departments confirmed that Ajith Kumar's body bore 30 to 40 injury marks. According to police officials, the decision to arrest the officers followed a high-level review meeting at police headquarters in Chennai. Six officers had already been suspended on Sunday after initial evidence and eyewitness testimonies suggested police involvement. Authorities were awaiting preliminary post-mortem and inquest reports. Senior police officers also reviewed findings submitted by the Sivaganga Range Deputy Inspector-General and the district Superintendent of Police.

The incident originated on June 27, when a woman visiting a temple with her mother asked Ajith Kumar for help parking her car. As he didn’t know how to drive, he called for assistance. Later, the woman alleged that gold jewellery worth 10 sovereigns had gone missing from her bag in the vehicle. Based on her complaint, Tirupuvanam police detained Ajith Kumar and several others for questioning, but released them the same day. However, Ajith was detained again the following day by a special team. During this second round of interrogation, he reportedly began feeling unwell and was taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Ajith Kumar’s brother, Naveen, told The Hindu that CCTV footage showed his brother walking unassisted when taken in for questioning, but when released, he was clearly injured and bleeding. “He couldn’t even walk. My brother is innocent,” he said.

A source from the Government Rajaji Hospital revealed that the victim had sustained head injuries and lathi marks near the anus. A senior officer said the case may be upgraded to murder once the final post-mortem and inquest reports are received.

Ramanathapuram Range DIG Pa. Moorthy held a review meeting in Sivaganga, and a judicial inquiry into the case has commenced.

In parallel developments, E. Marees Kumar, deputy secretary of the AIADMK’s advocate wing, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) with the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. He called for the investigation to be handed over to either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT), citing the lack of an FIR or arrests within 48 hours of the incident.