TN opposition mounts pressure on ruling DMK over custodial death, CM says action initiated

Chennai, Jul 1 (PTI) The opposition in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday mounted pressure on the ruling DMK over the custodial death of a temple security guard in the state's Sivaganga district, demanding a CBI or SIT probe into the matter, even as the state government initiated action against policemen, including the district police chief.

The matter also came up before the Madras High Court bench in Madurai. The victim's counsel told reporters that a video purportedly showing policemen in plainclothes assaulting the victim, Ajithkumar has been submitted before the court.

The government made it clear nobody involved in the incident would be spared, even as it pointed out that action has been already initiated in the matter.

The principal opposition party, AIADMK demanded a CBI probe into the custodial death, saying people have lost faith in the state police.

AIADMK chief and Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed Stalin over the incident and said "people and us" don't believe the "drama" enacted by the CM on the matter.

Referring to reports, Palaniswami claimed that the post-mortem on the victim revealed a number of injuries on his body and called it a "murder that happened due to police atrocity." In a social media post, he said, "Some media may believe in your drama like holding review meeting or transferring the case to the CB-CID. Whether the people or us-- we just don't believe in the drama." There was no safety for the public in the DMK rule, he charged.

"People have no faith in the fake police FIR. Therefore this case should be transferred to the CBI," he added.

He also held the CM "responsible" for the incident and demanded answer.

AIADMK workers staged protests in different towns in the state, demanding justice for the victim. They held placards that said "Justice for Ajithkumar." Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.

People had many questions over the death of Ajithkumar, he said in a post on 'X.' BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthiran wrote to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an inquiry into the custodial death of Ajithkumar and similar such incidents in Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, addressing a press meet here, CM Stalin said action has been taken in connection with the death of the security guard.

"Action has been taken, arrests have been effected...action has been taken against higher official also," he said referring to the government placing the district police chief of Sivaganga under "compulsory wait" in connection with the incident.

The government on Tuesday placed the Superintendent of Police, Sivaganga under "compulsory wait", while five policemen have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Ashish Rawat, IPS, has been "placed on Compulsory Wait at the O/o the Director General of Police/HoPF, Tamil Nadu, Chennai," a Home Department note said.

G Chandeesh, IPS, SP, Ramanathapuram, will hold additional charge of Sivaganga, the note from Dheeraj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, added.

Ajithkumar of Tiruppuvanam in Sivaganga, was picked up by the local police, reportedly in connection with a theft case earlier. His death later had sparked an outrage, with political parties slamming the government over the issue.

Five policemen have been arrested in connection with the incident.

An official release late on Monday said that six personnel had been placed under suspension on June 28.

A due probe was launched into the matter and following the post-mortem report received on Monday night, the next course of action was initiated "without any delay", it said.

Subsequently, murder charges were invoked and "five policemen involved in the matter have been arrested," it said.

Meanwhile, state Law Minister S Reghupathy said the CM has made it clear nobody involved in the incident will be spared.

"There is no compulsion to protect anyone," he told reporters in Pudukottai, while speaking on the matter.

In Madurai, the counsel representing the victim's side in the HC bench demanded action against all concerned officials.

On the video claimed to be that of the policemen assaulting Ajithkumar, which later went viral, he said it has been submitted before the court. PTI SA ROH