Chennai, June 19:
The Crime Branch–Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) has filed a detailed chargesheet against six police personnel in connection with the death of R. Aakash, a 26-year-old Scheduled Caste youth from Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, whose death in March sparked serious allegations of custodial torture and triggered widespread protests.
According to the chargesheet, the accused include Inspector Dileepan, Sub-Inspector Gugan, Grade-I Constable Kaleeswaran of Manamadurai Police Station, Head Constable Palani of Madhagupatty Police Station, Grade-I Constable Mahendran of Thiruppuvanam Police Station, and Head Constable Deivendran of Sivagangai Town Police Station. All six have been named for their alleged involvement in the incident, which has now been treated as a serious criminal case.
Aakash sustained severe injuries while in police custody and later died during treatment. Initially, the police maintained that he was a history-sheeter who got injured after falling from a bridge while allegedly attempting to escape arrest. However, this version was strongly contested by his family, who accused the police of taking him to a secluded location and subjecting him to a brutal assault that ultimately led to his death.
The family’s allegations led to widespread outrage across Sivaganga district, with protests demanding justice and calling for an independent and transparent investigation. In response to the growing public pressure, the case was transferred to the CB-CID for a thorough probe. Subsequently, several police personnel were placed under suspension, and the case was altered to include murder charges, significantly escalating its gravity.
The case drew further controversy months later when Aakash’s body was cremated by police authorities at the Thathaneri crematorium in Madurai, 102 days after his death, raising serious questions among legal experts and activists about procedural violations and the rights of the victim’s family.
With the filing of the chargesheet, the investigation has entered a crucial phase, and the case is expected to proceed through the judicial process. The incident continues to remain a significant example in the ongoing debate over custodial violence, accountability within law enforcement, and the protection of human rights in Tamil Nadu.