Sivaganga custodial death: Tamil Nadu govt puts SP Ashish Rawat on "compulsory wait," case transferred to CB-CID

Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 1 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu government has shifted out Sivaganga District Superintendent of Police, Ashish Rawat and posted him on "compulsory wait" at the office of Director General of Police (DGP) in Chennai.
This comes after Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard, allegedly died in police custody in Tamil Nadu's Sivagangai district.
Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police (SP), G Chandeesh, has been given the additional charge of the post of Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai district.
The case has been transferred to CB-CID (Crime Branch, Crime Investigation Department) for further investigation into the custodial death in Sivaganga district.
Meanwhile, the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench on Tuesday heard a suo motu case concerning the alleged custodial death of Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard who allegedly died in police custody in Tamil Nadu's Sivagangai district.
During the hearing, advocate Henri Tiphagne submitted photographs as evidence, alleging that Ajith Kumar was beaten with plastic pipes and iron rods. A video showing the police assaulting Ajith Kumar was also played before the judges.
Advocate Marish Kumar had earlier filed a petition in this case, which is currently under hearing.
Advocate Henri Tiphagne has also filed a petition seeking to be added as a petitioner in the case, and his plea is being heard as well.
During the hearing, the judge asked, "Why did the police not register a case even after a jewellery theft complaint was filed?"
Tamil Nadu government had already suspended six police personnel from duty in connection with the custodial death of Ajithkumar, who died during an inquiry conducted on June 28, in Sivaganga district.
An official statement from the Tamil Nadu government stated that all the legal procedures mandated in custodial death cases have been properly and transparently followed, and appropriate investigations have been conducted.
As per these procedures, a post-mortem report was obtained, and without any delay, further actions were taken as soon as the report was received last night, as per the statement.
Based on the findings of the post-mortem, the case has now been converted into a criminal case, and five police personnel have been arrested in connection with the incident, the statement added.
A case has been officially registered at the Tirupuvanam Police Station under sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act, and has been forwarded for judicial investigation.
Kumar was picked up by police for questioning following a complaint filed by two women, Sivakami and her daughter Nikitha, who alleged that about 10 sovereigns of gold jewellery had gone missing from their car. (ANI)