Chennai, July 2 (NationPress) The ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu is facing escalating public outrage following the alleged custodial death of a 28-year-old man, Ajith Kumar, in Sivaganga district.

This incident has ignited a political upheaval and put Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s administration on the back foot, especially as the party prepares for the pivotal 2026 Assembly elections, aiming for a minimum of 200 out of 234 seats.

Ajith Kumar, who worked as security personnel at the Madapuram Bhathrakali Amman temple, was taken into custody on June 27 regarding the theft of 9.5 sovereigns of gold. Initially interrogated by the Tiruppuvanam police, he was later allegedly detained by a six-member special team that reportedly assaulted him brutally. He collapsed and died on the way to the hospital.

This incident has triggered widespread condemnation of police brutality.

Chief Minister Stalin, who also oversees the Home portfolio, reached out to Ajith Kumar’s mother to express his condolences and made a public apology.

He announced that the case would be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a means to mitigate public anger and control the fallout. Nevertheless, the Madras High Court has expressed serious concerns regarding the case.

A division bench consisting of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Jagadish Chandira criticized the state police, characterizing the custodial death as a “police-organized crime.”

The bench questioned the rationale behind a special police team's inquiry and the assault on the youth prior to the filing of an FIR.

“It appears to be a situation where the government is harming its own citizens,” the court remarked, cautioning that any efforts to obscure the truth would lead to judicial action.

The court has instructed the fourth Additional District Judge of Madurai, S. John Sundarlal Suresh, to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report by July 8.

Additionally, it ordered the Sivaganga Superintendent of Police and the investigating officer to provide all evidence, including CCTV footage and call data records, to the inquiry judge.

The government has been directed to ensure the safety of eyewitnesses.

Since the DMK came to power in May 2021, there have been reports of 25 individuals dying in police custody, raising serious alarms about systemic police misconduct.

C. Rajeev, Director of the Centre for Policy and Development Studies, commented, “The DMK was politically strong, but this incident has put the party and Stalin in a precarious position.”

With the BJP aligning with the AIADMK and public scrutiny intensifying, the political ramifications of this custodial death could significantly impact the DMK as the 2026 elections approach.