‘Police Drunk On Power’: Madras HC Slams Cops Over Custodial Death Of Temple Guard

The Madras High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Tamil Nadu police over the recent custodial death of a 27-year-old temple guard, making scathing observations that the “police drunk with power” had committed a “brutal act” and that the “state has killed its own citizen.”

The court’s severe rebuke came while hearing the case of Ajith Kumar, a temple guard who was arrested on June 27 in a theft case and died in custody. Five policemen have since been arrested in connection with his death.

Expressing shock at the details of the post-mortem report, Justice SM Subramaniam noted the sheer brutality of the assault. “It is shocking to see 44 injuries in the body. He has been attacked in all parts of the body,” the judge observed. The court also took note of the disturbing allegation that “chilli powder was applied to Ajith’s back, mouth and ears” during the interrogation.

“Police together have committed this act. This is a brutal act,” Justice Subramaniam stated bluntly, questioning how such an incident could happen in a state that prides itself on social progress.

“In certain North Indian states where the literacy rate is lower, these kinds of things don’t happen. In the state of Tamil Nadu where the government says we are the pioneers of everything, how can you allow this kind of incident to happen?” the court questioned. “Such acts in a state like Tamil Nadu, which is educationally developed, is dangerous… This should never happen in any police station.”

The court also reminded the state that public memory of police brutality is not short, making a direct reference to the infamous 2020 Sattankulam custodial deaths. “People are witnessing this. Nobody has forgotten the Jayaraj and Benix case,” the judge remarked, invoking the case that had led to nationwide outrage over police excesses.

Ajith Kumar was taken into custody for questioning regarding the theft of jewellery from a temple where he worked. His family alleges he was tortured to death during interrogation.