Madras High Court Sets Two-Month Deadline for CB-CID in Madurai Custodial Death Probe
The Madras High Court has issued a clear directive to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID). The court ordered the agency to file a final report within two months. This order concerns the controversial death of a youth in Madurai back in October 2025.
Petitions Allege Police Brutality and Cover-Up
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate C Selvakumar from Madurai. The petition centers on the death of Dinesh Kumar, a young man from the Scheduled Caste community.
According to the petitioner, police personnel led by Inspector Flower Sheela from Anna Nagar station picked up Dinesh Kumar from his home in Yagappa Nagar on October 9, 2025. They took him in for questioning.
Later that day, around noon, police summoned Dinesh's mother, Muthulakshmi, to the station. Officers informed her that her son had escaped from custody. They claimed he fell into a canal near Vandiyur and died.
Family and Lawyer Challenge Official Narrative
Advocate Selvakumar strongly rejected the police version of events. He termed their statement false and fabricated. The petition argues that Dinesh Kumar did not die accidentally.
Instead, the petitioner alleges the youth was subjected to brutal custodial torture. He claims police officers beat Dinesh Kumar to death. This act, according to the PIL, constitutes a gross human rights violation and amounts to a custodial death.
Based on these allegations, the petitioner sought several actions from the court. He requested a CB-CID probe into the death. He asked for a case to be registered under relevant provisions, including the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The petition also demanded the suspension and prosecution of the involved police personnel. Furthermore, it sought compensation for the grieving family.
Mother Files Separate Petition, Court Had Earlier Ordered Probe
In a related development, V Muthulakshmi, the mother of the deceased youth, also approached the court. She filed a separate petition seeking a direction to register a case under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST Act.
The court had already taken cognizance of the matter. During a previous hearing on October 10, 2025, the court had ordered the CB-CID to investigate the case. This set the stage for the latest proceedings.
Court's Observations and Final Order
A division bench comprising Justice G Jayachandran and Justice K K Ramakrishnan heard the petitions. The bench noted that the investigation is currently being conducted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, CB-CID, Madurai range.
Given that the probe is already underway, the court stated it was not inclined to make any observations on the merits of the case at this stage. The judges emphasized that it is open to the investigating officer to examine all angles thoroughly.
The court outlined the investigation's path. The officer must first rule out whether the death was a custodial death or an accidental death. Following this, the investigating officer should also determine if any other offences were attracted.
This includes offences under the BNS or any other special Act. After completing this examination, the CB-CID must file a final report. The court directed that this report be submitted preferably within two months.
With these observations and directions, the bench disposed of both petitions. The order places the onus on the CB-CID to deliver a conclusive report within the stipulated timeframe, bringing some hope for clarity and justice in this tragic case.
