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An eyewitness in the Sivaganga custodial death case, who filmed the assault of deceased Ajith Kumar, has alleged a threat to his life and has demanded armed police protection. The witness, Saktheeswaran, submitted a formal complaint to Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal on Wednesday, July 2, expressing fears for his safety.
Saktheeswaran, who has been employed at the Madapuram Badrakaliamman Temple for the past two and a half years, claimed that he has been facing continuous threats ever since he gave direct testimony and handed over video evidence in connection with the case.
In his complaint, he specifically named S Raja, one of the six special unit police personnel arrested in the case, accusing him of having close personal and operational ties with history-sheeters.
“On the morning of Saturday, June 28, I encountered S Raja, who threatened me harshly,” Saktheeswaran stated in his complaint. “The threats were issued because I recorded the video of Ajith Kumar being tortured in custody and later submitted the footage to the court,” he added.
Ajith Kumar, a security guard at the Badrakaliamman Temple in Thiruppuvanam, Sivaganga district, died in police custody after allegedly being brutally assaulted. He was detained for questioning in connection with a theft case. The video of the assault, which shows Ajith Kumar sitting on the floor being beaten with a stick while two other men looked on.
Following the release of the video, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, July 1, made scathing observations and ordered that necessary protection be provided to eyewitnesses and that all evidence be preserved.
Referring to the court’s direction, Saktheeswaran has urged the DGP to provide him with armed police protection drawn from districts outside Thiruppuvanam, citing concerns about impartiality and safety.
Ajith Kumar’s death marks the 24th alleged custodial death recorded in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government, once again raising serious questions about police excesses and the lack of accountability.