Madurai Court Accepts CBI Report, Closes Jewel Theft Case as Untraced
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Madurai has officially accepted the final report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and closed the jewel theft case registered against B Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard who was beaten to death by police while in custody, as untraced. This decision was made on Monday, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn widespread attention due to its connection to a custodial death.
CBI Investigation and Court Proceedings
Earlier, the CBI filed its final report before the CJM court, seeking to close the jewel theft case as untraced. Following the issuance of a notice, Nikitha, the complainant in the jewel theft case, appeared before the court on Monday. CJM K Selvapandi thoroughly reviewed the records and the final report presented by the CBI.
After a comprehensive investigation, the CBI concluded in its final report that the case remained untraced. Despite diligent efforts, no clues were uncovered, and the investigation did not point toward any individual who might have committed the theft. This lack of evidence led the agency to recommend closing the case.
Complainant's Response and Court Decision
Pursuant to the notice, Nikitha stated before the court that she had no objection to closing the case as untraced. She made an official endorsement and filed a memo to that effect, expressing her agreement with the CBI's findings. Consequently, CJM Selvapandi accepted the final report filed by the CBI and formally closed the jewel theft case as untraced, bringing this aspect of the investigation to a conclusion.
Background of the Custodial Death Case
It may be recalled that Ajith Kumar, who was employed as a security guard at the Batharakaliamman temple in Madapuram, died during custodial interrogation on June 28, 2025. He was taken into custody by the police for questioning in connection with an alleged theft of gold jewels from a car owned by Nikitha of Madurai district. Nikitha and her mother had visited the temple the previous day when the incident occurred.
In response to the custodial death, the government transferred both the custodial death case and the connected jewel theft case to the CBI for further investigation. The CBI subsequently arrested six police personnel: Prabhu, Kannan, Sankaramanikandan, Raja, Ananth, and Ramachandran, who was the driver of the van used to transport Ajith Kumar.
Expanded Chargesheet and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Initially, the CBI filed its final report before the 5th additional district and sessions court in Madurai against the six arrested police personnel. Subsequently, the agency filed a supplementary chargesheet, naming four additional police personnel as accused in the case. These individuals include then Manamadurai DSP Shanmugasundaram, then Thiruppuvanam inspector of police Rameshkumar, then sub-inspector Sivakumar, and then head constable Ilayaraja.
This expanded chargesheet adds to the six police personnel already arrested, highlighting the broader scope of the investigation into the custodial death. While the jewel theft case has been closed as untraced, the legal proceedings related to the custodial death continue, with the CBI pursuing charges against the involved police officials.
