Madurai: A post-mortem report into the death of B Ajith Kumar, a 29-year-old security guard who died in police custody, has revealed a harrowing account of physical trauma, with forensic surgeons identifying at least 44 external injuries and signs of severe internal bleeding across multiple organs.

Ajith Kumar, who worked as a guard at the Bhadrakaliamman temple in Tiruppuvanam, was taken into custody on the evening of June 27 for questioning in connection with a jewel theft case. By the following night, he was pronounced "brought dead" at a government hospital in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu.

The autopsy, conducted on June 29 at the Madurai Medical College Hospital and lasting nearly three hours from 5.45 p.m., reported bruises and wounds on Ajith’s arms, legs, chest, and abdomen. Nineteen of the external injuries were described as deep, extending into the muscle tissue.

The report noted, “Petechial (pinpoint) haemorrhages were found in both parietal lobes of his brain and the brain tissue was congested indicating trauma to the head.” Internal bleeding was also observed in the heart and abdominal area, particularly near the stomach and on the back wall of the heart’s left ventricle.

Other findings included multiple abrasions with dark red scabs on the forehead, right cheek, eyebrow, right leg, left elbow, forearm, wrist, ankle and upper chest. Injuries were present on both sides of his head, and forensic staff observed dried blood stains around his ears and brown-coloured fluid near his nostrils and the corner of his mouth.

The time of death was estimated to be between 12 and 24 hours before the post-mortem began, although the exact cause of death is pending further histopathological examination. The report, however, indicated that Ajith may have succumbed to a combination of extreme pain and fatal internal clotting.

A forensic expert familiar with the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma, stating that the internal haemorrhaging and contusions beneath the scalp could have been fatal due to the shock and pain alone.

The Madras High Court, which has taken cognisance of the matter, was briefed on the findings. Justices S M Subramaniam and A D Maria Clete remarked, “Even an ordinary murder would not have caused so many injuries,” after reviewing the preliminary autopsy report submitted on July 1. PTI