What New Custodial Assault Video Has Emerged in TN?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Chennai is witnessing renewed outrage as a shocking CCTV video surfaces, revealing police brutality in Theni district, just as emotions run high over the alleged custodial death of B. Ajithkumar. What does this mean for police accountability in Tamil Nadu? Read on to uncover the details.
Key Takeaways
- CCTV footage reveals police brutality against C. Ramesh in Theni.
- Incident highlights ongoing issues of police accountability in Tamil Nadu.
- Calls for independent investigations are growing among rights activists.
- Officers involved have been reassigned pending inquiry.
- Public outrage continues to rise over custodial practices.
Chennai, July 3 (NationPress) As public discontent simmers in Tamil Nadu regarding the purported custodial death of 27-year-old temple security guard B. Ajithkumar in Sivaganga district, a new scandal has emerged with the release of CCTV footage depicting police violence at a station in Theni district.
The troubling video, which appeared on social media on July 2, captures C. Ramesh (34), an autorickshaw driver from Devadanapatti, being brutally assaulted by police officers within the confines of the Devadanapatti police station.
This incident has reignited public anxiety over police misconduct throughout the state.
Reportedly, the event unfolded on January 14 when Ramesh was taken to the station for allegedly causing a disturbance near the Arisikadai bus stop.
Following complaints from local residents, police detained Ramesh, who was reportedly inebriated, and brought him to the station. Allegations suggest that he was physically assaulted by multiple officers before being charged under Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for public disorder.
He was subsequently released on station bail.
What has shocked the public is the manner in which this incident came to light. A lawyer visiting the police station for an unrelated issue filed a Right to Information (RTI) request to confirm his presence at the station.
When the district police finally responded a month later with the CCTV footage, it unveiled the horrifying assault on Ramesh. Although initially contained within legal circles, the video was shared on social media on July 2 by the lawyer.
It quickly gained momentum and went viral amidst the public outrage regarding Ajithkumar's custodial death in Thirupuvanam.
In response to the viral footage, the Theni district police released a statement refuting the claims of custodial torture.
The statement asserted that the police employed "minimum necessary force" to control Ramesh, who was allegedly intoxicated and unruly at the time.
Despite this assertion, Theni District Superintendent of Police R. Shiva Prasad has initiated a departmental investigation led by an Additional Superintendent of Police.
While the investigation is ongoing, Inspector K. Abdulla, Special Sub-Inspector Shiva Sambu, Head Constable S. Pandian, and Constables Marichamy and Valirajan have been reassigned to the Armed Reserve (AR) unit.
This incident has intensified calls for greater accountability within police stations across Tamil Nadu, with rights activists urging independent investigations and stronger protections against custodial abuse.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach this issue with a commitment to transparency and justice. The emergence of this footage amidst ongoing public anger highlights a pressing need for accountability within law enforcement. The rights of every citizen must be respected, and independent investigations into custodial practices are essential to restore public trust.
NationPress
03/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CCTV footage show?
The footage captures C. Ramesh being violently assaulted by police officers at the Devadanapatti police station.
When did the incident occur?
The incident took place on January 14, when Ramesh was brought to the station for allegedly causing a public disturbance.
What actions have been taken against the officers involved?
The officers involved have been transferred to the Armed Reserve unit pending an internal investigation.
What is the public reaction to this incident?
The incident has sparked renewed public outrage and calls for accountability in police practices across Tamil Nadu.
What are the demands from rights activists?
Rights activists are demanding independent investigations and stronger safeguards to prevent custodial abuse.
