Sivaganga Custodial Death: Madras High Court Orders State To Pay ₹25 Lakh More As Interim Compensation To Bereaved Family

When the bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice AD Maria Clete was informed that the state had already paid Rs. 7.5 Lakh as interim compensation to the family along with land for the mother and a government job for the brother of the deceased, the court said that the compensation of Rs. 7.5 Lakh was not sufficient. The court noted that in similar cases, a higher amount had been paid to victims of custodial torture.

Thus, the court directed the State to pay an interim compensation of Rs 25 Lakh in addition to the Rs. 7.5 Lakh already paid.

During the course of the hearing, the counsel for the petitioners informed the court that though it had previously ordered protection for the victims, it was yet to be given. The court thus directed the Principal District Judge, Sivaganga to hear the applications for victim protection and dispose of the same within 7 working days.

The case relates to the death of Ajith Kumar, who was working as a temporary security guard at the Madapuram Bhdrakali Amman Temple at Thirupuvanam, when the police took him for questioning in connection with a theft case. Two women had complained, stating that 10 sovereigns of good jewelry had gone missing from their car, which they had asked Ajith to park.

Ajith was taken to the Thiruppuvanam police station and was released after questioning. Later, on the same day, he was detained again by a six-member Special Team headed by Mr. Kannan, Head Constable, and 5 others. As per the statement of eyewitnesses, Ajith and others were brutally beaten up by the police officials. Ajith collapsed, and though he was taken to the hospital, he died.

Calling it a “police organised crime”, the High Court had directed a preliminary judicial inquiry into the incident. In the previous hearing, the report of District Judge S John Sundarlal Suresh was produced before the court, confirming that Ajith Kumar died as a result of custodial torture.

Since the investigation had already been transferred to the CBI, the court had also transferred the FIR registered in connection with the alleged theft of gold jewellery to the CBI.

The CBI has been directed to complete investigation and file final report before the concerned court by August 20.

Case Title: E Marees Kumar v. The Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu and Others

Case No: WP(MD) 17949 of 2025