Madurai Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Former DSP in Custodial Death Case
In a significant development in the custodial death case of Madapuram temple security guard B Ajith Kumar, the Madurai chief judicial magistrate, K Selvapandi, has issued a non-bailable warrant against former Manamadurai DSP N Shanmugasundaram. This action follows Shanmugasundaram's failure to appear before the court, which had earlier summoned him along with other accused police personnel in connection with the tragic incident that occurred in Thiruppuvanam, Sivaganga district.
Expanded CBI Investigation and Court Proceedings
The court took on file a supplementary chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which named Shanmugasundaram as an accused. Additionally, the chargesheet implicated then Thiruppuvanam inspector of police Rameshkumar, then sub-inspector Sivakumar, and then head constable Ilayaraja, bringing the total number of accused in the case to ten. The court had summoned all four individuals, but Shanmugasundaram did not comply, leading to the issuance of the non-bailable warrant. The case has been adjourned and is now scheduled for further hearing on March 5.
Background of the Custodial Death Incident
The custodial death of B Ajith Kumar occurred on June 28, 2025, while he was undergoing interrogation by police. Ajith Kumar was employed as a security guard at the Batharakaliamman temple in Madapuram. He was taken into custody for questioning related to an alleged theft of gold jewellery from a car owned by Nikitha, who had visited the temple with her mother the previous day. The incident sparked outrage and led to the state government transferring both the custodial death case and the connected jewellery theft case to the CBI for a thorough investigation.
CBI's Role and Arrests in the Case
The CBI took over the investigation and initially arrested six police personnel, filing a final report against them. Subsequently, the agency expanded its probe and submitted a supplementary chargesheet, naming four more individuals, including Shanmugasundaram, as accused. This move highlights the CBI's commitment to uncovering the full extent of involvement in the custodial death, which has raised serious concerns about police conduct and accountability in the region.
The issuance of the non-bailable warrant underscores the court's determination to ensure that all accused parties face justice, particularly in cases involving custodial deaths, which are a grave violation of human rights. The ongoing legal proceedings are being closely monitored by human rights activists and the public, as they seek transparency and accountability in this distressing case.
