Sivaganga custodial death: Madras High Court directs TN govt to pay additional compensation of 25 lakhs to Ajith Kumar's family

MADURAI: The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench has ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay an additional interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old temple security guard who died in police custody in Sivaganga.

The family had earlier received Rs 7.5 lakh from the state government. With this new directive, the total interim compensation amounts to Rs 32.5 lakh. The court observed that the earlier amount was inadequate and directed the state to provide additional compensation. The judges also clarified that this interim relief would not prevent the family from seeking further assistance from authorities if needed.

The court directed the Principal District Judge of Sivaganga to hear applications under the 2018 Witness Protection Scheme within seven working days. The case, which is now under CBI investigation, has been adjourned to August 20 for further hearing.

Following the incident, five police personnel were arrested, and a departmental inquiry was initiated. The Superintendent of Police in Sivaganga was removed from his post. The CBI team visited Sivaganga, questioned witnesses at their Madurai office, and inspected the police station where Ajith Kumar had been held.