Madurai, Sept 17:
The judicial remand of four police personnel arrested in connection with the custodial death of temple security guard Ajith Kumar has been extended till September 29 by the Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai. Judge V Dhamodharan passed the order on Wednesday.
The four accused are former Manamadurai Deputy Superintendent of Police N Shanmugasundaram, Inspector SP Ramesh Kumar, Special Sub-Inspector S Sivakumar and Head Constable G Ilayaraja. They were arrested in connection with the death of Ajith Kumar at Madapuram in Sivaganga district.
The trial court had framed charges against the four accused on September 10, including the charge of murder under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Their judicial remand was initially extended till September 16 and has now been further extended by the court.
Ajith Kumar, who was working as a security guard at a temple, died after he was allegedly assaulted while in police custody. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the case, subsequently filed a chargesheet against 10 police personnel.
Meanwhile, Head Constable Ilayaraja has filed a bail petition before the court. The bail plea is pending consideration.
In a related development, the police department suspended Inspector Ramesh Kumar, Special Sub-Inspector Sivakumar and Head Constable Ilayaraja on Tuesday. Former DSP N Shanmugasundaram was already under suspension.
The extension of judicial custody comes as the case proceeds before the trial court, with the accused facing serious charges in connection with the alleged custodial death.