Five policemen held for custodial death in TN; Stalin reaffirms 'Dravidian Model' justice

Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu: Five police personnel have been arrested in connection with the custodial death of a man in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, authorities confirmed on Monday.

According to an official release, six police officers were initially suspended on 28 June following the incident. A detailed investigation was launched, and subsequent action was taken immediately after the post-mortem report was received on Sunday night.

“Without any delay, murder charges were invoked, and five policemen involved in the matter have been arrested,” the statement said. A judicial inquiry has also been ordered into the incident.

The victim, Ajithkumar, a security guard from Tiruppuvanam, was reportedly taken into custody by local police in connection with a case. His death while in police custody has sparked widespread outrage, with several political parties criticising the state government and demanding accountability.

In its statement, the Tamil Nadu police maintained that it had acted in a “just, transparent and unbiased” manner in dealing with the “unfortunate incident.” The department also noted a significant decline in custodial deaths across the state over the past five years, and reiterated that appropriate action is always taken in such cases.

CM reaction

In a post on 'X', the chief minister said he stressed that the government's action against dereliction of duty will be very stringent in matters involving drugs, illicit liquor, women's safety and lockup deaths.

The CM's warning over lockup deaths comes against the background of alleged custodial death of a temple security guard in Sivaganga district.

Be it a rowdy or a person with political background or even a policeman, whoever perpetrates crime is brought to justice by ensuring appropriate and expeditious punishment and that is the Dravidian model regime, the CM said.

When the police department has freedom to act and take complete action, it has to uphold law and order and justice, Stalin conveyed to officials in the review meeting.