Justice For Ajith Kumar: Custodial Death of Temple Guard Sparks Outrage in Tamil Nadu (image:x.com/vickneswarang)

Ajith Kumar, a 27-year old temple security guard died in police custody has triggered widespread protests in Tamil Nadu’s Sivagangai district. The tragic incident has also called for demands for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForAjithKumar trending on social media.

Ajith, contractual guard at the Adaikkalam Kaatha Ayyanar and Badrakali Amman temple in Madappuram, was detained by the police after a theft complaint was lodged by 42-year-old devotee.

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The complainant, who had visited the temple with her family alleged that 9.5–10 sovereigns of gold jewellery from the car had gone missing after devotee had asked Ajith to park the vehicle.

The woman had given her car keys to Ajith, requesting him to park the vehicle reportedly due to her physical disability. After returning from the temple, she has discovered that the gold jewellery kept in the car had been stolen. Meanwhile, as per the reports, since Ajith did not know how to drive, he moved the car with the help of someone else.

Following her complaint, the Thiruppuvanam police questioned Ajith and four others regarding the missing jewellery. Since Ajith refused to confess, the police took the group in a van for further interrogation, The News Minute reports. It was during this questioning, Ajith died under mysterious circumstances.

The post-mortem took place at Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital on Sunday, June 29, under the supervision of a Thiruppuvanam Judicial Magistrate, The Federal reports.

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The news of Ajith’s death enraged Ajith’s relatives and residents from Madapuram and Thiruppuvanam. They held protests outside the Thiruppuvanam police station, demanding justice. Sivaganga District Superintendent of Police Ashish Rawat and senior officials conducted discussions with the agitated crowd and has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Since the inquiry is being conducted, six police officers from the Thiruppuvanam police station have been temporarily suspended from duty.