The shocking custodial death of 27-year-old Ajithkumar has once again exposed the dark underbelly of police excesses and systemic failure in Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court’s scathing observations — especially that “even a murderer won’t attack like this” — reflect the gravity of the situation. In a state that takes pride in its literacy and awareness, the fact that such brutality could occur under the watch of law enforcement is not just disturbing, but deeply shameful.The court’s pointed questions — about the shifting of Ajith’s body, the missing FIR, the absence of CCTV footage, and unauthorized special teams — highlight what appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead and cover up. When the very institutions tasked with delivering justice are accused of such acts, public trust takes a massive hit. The judiciary’s concern that key evidence was possibly destroyed further raises alarm bells over the integrity of the investigation.
This incident must serve as a turning point. Custodial deaths cannot be allowed to become routine headlines in a democratic country. Accountability must begin at the top, and the government must act swiftly — not just by transferring cases to the CB-CID, but by ensuring that those responsible face the full force of the law. Anything less would amount to complicity.