Chennai, 22 July

The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs 25 lakh as interim compensation to the family of Ajith Kumar, who died in police custody on 28 June. The court noted the state’s cooperation in the investigation but deemed the earlier compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh insufficient.

Ajith Kumar, arrested in connection with a jewellery theft, was allegedly tortured at a cowshed on 27 June and died the next day. A viral video showed him being beaten with a stick, sparking widespread public outrage. Initially, the police claimed Ajith died due to an epileptic seizure while trying to escape custody. However, a judicial inquiry ordered by the court confirmed it as a custodial death.

A post-mortem report revealed Ajith suffered 44 injuries, including deep contusions in over 30 places, brain trauma, and internal bleeding in vital organs such as the heart and liver. Signs of prolonged torture, including petechial haemorrhages and even a bite mark, were also recorded.

The government has already provided Ajith’s family with partial compensation, land, and a government job for his brother. The case has been adjourned to 28 July for further hearing.