CBI takes over probe in Temple Guard’s custodial death

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a murder case against police personnel in Tamil Nadu’s Sivagangai district in connection with the alleged custodial death of a 29-year-old temple security guard, Ajit Kumar. The case has been filed under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the federal agency has officially taken over the probe, CBI officials said on Saturday.The development follows a decision by the Tamil Nadu government to transfer the investigation to the CBI amid growing public outrage and demands for accountability over the custodial death.
Kumar was employed as a guard at the Bhadrakaliamman Temple in Tiruppuvanam and was picked up by local police on June 27 for interrogation related to a jewel theft case. However, by the next evening, he was declared "brought dead" at a government hospital in the region, under suspicious circumstances.
According to information,the post-mortem, conducted on June 29 by forensic surgeons at the Madurai Medical College Hospital, revealed disturbing details. The report documented 44 external injuries across his body, including his legs, arms, abdomen, and chest — with at least 19 wounds being deep enough to reach the muscle layer. The duration of death was estimated to be between 12 and 24 hours prior to the examination, though the exact cause of death awaits confirmation through histopathological analysis.
 “The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case on July 12, 2025, against police personnel of Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, in connection with the alleged custodial death of Shri Ajit Kumar, who was posted as a temple guard at Madapuram Temple.”,official stated
The case has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society groups and human rights activists, who are calling for urgent police reforms and stringent action against those involved in custodial violence.
The CBI is expected to examine all aspects of the case, including interrogation procedures, alleged torture, and the actions of individual officers involved. The state government has pledged full cooperation with the central agency’s investigation.Further forensic and medical reports are awaited as the probe progresses.