By Dharani Balasubramaniam
Trouble continues to mount for Tamil Nadu police, which is facing heat over the custodial death of Ajith Kumar, as a new video of another incident has surfaced showing the cops beating a youth at a police station. The video is of Kacharapalayam station, where a group of cops beat a man named Vicky, who had gone to complain against a man who facilitated his brother-in-law’s travel to Dubai. Vicky’s uncle, Jaypal, died days after returning from Dubai, where he had gone for a work opportunity. He was in a very bad state of health when he returned. His wife Malar, confronted Vijay, the man who arranged her husband’s travel and Vijay threatened her. She then approached Kacharapalayam police, but the officers allegedly refused to initiate any action. Malar’s nephew, Vicky, then went to the station to question the inaction, and during a verbal altercation, the police personnel at the station beat up Vicky. According to the police department, after the video surfaced, a constable from the station was moved to the Armed Reserve. Tamil Nadu Custodial Death Case 27-year-old Ajith Kumar fell unconscious and allegedly died during police custody on June 28 after he was brought in for questioning by the Sivaganga police in connection with a gold jewellery theft case. A preliminary autopsy report submitted at Madurai Bench of Madras High Court states that 44 injury marks were found on Ajith’s body and chilli powder was found in his genetalia, ears and mouth. The court had earlier made some strong remarks against the state government by stating that even an ordinary murderer would not inflict such brutal injuries on a person and that a state has killed its own citizen. Following immense political and judicial pressure, Chief Minister MK Stalin transferred the case to CBI and assured in social media post that the Tamil Nadu Govt would provide full cooperation to the CBI investigation. Meanwhile, Madurai Judicial Magistrate John Sundarlal has also been probing the matter following a direction from the high court to submit a detailed report by July 8. In an exclusive conversation with Times Now, victim Ajith’s brother has described the ordeal. Naveen said, “I had gone to Ramnad for work on 27th June. I got a call saying that the police have taken my brother (Ajith) for an inquiry. My mother and I went to the station in the evening and spoke to him.” He said that the policemen are accusing him of jewellery theft and that he hasn’t done anything. The next morning I was also picked up by a special police team for questioning. They thrashed us and beat us harshly. They used chilli powder while assaulting my brother. In his mouth, eyes etc.., the attack was brutal. He died at the spot. They took him for an inquiry without an FIR”