Madurai Custody Death Case Upgraded to Murder and SC/ST Act Charges
The Tamil Nadu state government informed the Madras High Court on Thursday that the investigation into the custodial death of R Akash in Manamadurai, Sivaganga district, has been significantly altered. The case has now been registered under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
State Compliance and Protester Demands
The state government submitted to the court that it had taken into consideration the demands of the protesters, who had been demonstrating against the initial handling of the case. Following this, the case was officially altered, and the alteration report was filed by the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) before the Madurai Judicial Magistrate IV Court.
Despite this compliance with court directions, the protesters continued their agitation on the Manamadurai–Rameswaram national highway, causing significant disruption to traffic flow. The state highlighted this ongoing inconvenience in its submission to the court.
Court-Appointed Peace Committee and Resolution
In response to the escalating situation, the court had constituted a peace committee on Wednesday. This committee, comprising three advocates—K Samidurai, C Mayil Vahana Rahendran, and K C Ramalingam—was tasked with persuading the protesters to shift their demonstration from the national highway to the Manamadurai old bus stand and to maintain peace.
The committee successfully organized talks with the protesters and submitted a detailed report to the court on Thursday. In their report, the protesters and their leaders expressed willingness to cooperate with the court's directions, provided the case was altered to include Section 103 of the BNS. With the state's confirmation of this alteration, the protesters agreed to move their protest venue.
Judicial Observations and Directives
Justice L Victoria Gowri observed that the court, acknowledging the gravity of the protesters' grievances and the sensitivity of the issue, had issued comprehensive directions to state authorities in its Wednesday order. While the state complied, the protest continued.
The judge then issued a firm directive: protesters must vacate the Manamadurai–Rameswaram national highway by 4:30 PM and, if they wish to continue protesting, do so only at the Manamadurai old bus stand from that time onward, ensuring it remains peaceful and orderly.
Justice Gowri further directed the Sivaganga District Superintendent of Police to take appropriate steps in case of non-compliance, with the aim of restoring normal traffic movement and public order. The judge also commended the efforts of the peace committee members for their role in facilitating dialogue.
Case Background and Next Steps
The court was hearing a petition filed by A Rajeshkannan, the father of the deceased youth Akash, seeking justice in the matter. The case has drawn significant attention due to allegations of police misconduct and the involvement of caste-based atrocities provisions.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on Friday, with the court expecting full compliance with its directives regarding the protest venue and maintenance of public order.
