Madurai High Court Directs CBI to Respond in Custodial Death Case
The Madras High Court in Madurai has officially sought a detailed response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a significant petition filed by former police inspector S P Ramesh Kumar. The plea specifically requests the court to quash a supplementary chargesheet that names Kumar as an accused in the high-profile custodial death case of temple security guard B Ajith Kumar.
Background of the Custodial Death Incident
B Ajith Kumar, who was employed as a security guard at the Batharakaliamman temple located in Madapuram, Sivaganga district, tragically lost his life during custodial interrogation on June 28, 2025. Following this incident, the state government took decisive action by transferring both the custodial death case and an associated jewel theft case to the CBI for a thorough and impartial investigation.
In the initial phase of the investigation, the CBI arrested six police personnel: Prabhu, Kannan, Sankaramanikandan, Raja, Ananth, and Ramachandran. The agency subsequently filed a final report before the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai, implicating these six individuals.
Supplementary Chargesheet and Legal Challenge
However, the case took a further turn when the CBI filed a supplementary chargesheet, expanding the list of accused to include four additional police personnel. These individuals are former Manamadurai DSP Shanmugasundaram, former inspector S P Ramesh Kumar, former sub-inspector Sivakumar, and former head constable Ilayaraja. This supplementary document was submitted in addition to the charges against the six previously arrested officers.
In his formal petition to the High Court, Kumar has raised critical legal objections. He argues that the CBI failed to obtain prior permission from the concerned jurisdictional magistrate before conducting further investigation, which he claims renders the supplementary chargesheet invalid under legal procedures.
Furthermore, Kumar asserts that there is absolutely no circumstantial evidence linking him to the illegal detention and torture of the deceased Ajith Kumar. He emphasizes that the lack of material proof undermines the charges against him, prompting his move to seek judicial intervention to quash the supplementary chargesheet.
Court Proceedings and Future Hearing
Justice B Pugalendhi of the Madras High Court has issued a directive for the CBI to file a comprehensive counter affidavit in response to Kumar's petition. The court has scheduled the next hearing for this case on April 28, marking a crucial step in the ongoing legal proceedings.
This development highlights the complexities and legal nuances involved in custodial death cases, particularly when multiple agencies and judicial oversight are engaged. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for the accountability and procedural adherence in such sensitive investigations.
