CHENNAI: the Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay an additional Rs 25 lakh as interim compensation to the family of Ajith Kumar, the 28-year-old temple guard who allegedly died due to police torture during interrogation in Sivaganga district. This is in addition to the Rs 7.5 lakh already disbursed by the state.The court passed the order while hearing a batch of petitions demanding an impartial probe and accountability in the custodial death incident that has sparked widespread outrage across the state.The high court also directed the principal district judge of Sivaganga to consider and pass appropriate orders on applications submitted by key witnesses in the case, seeking security under the Witness Protection Scheme. The directive comes amid concerns about witness intimidation in custodial violence cases.Ajith Kumar, who was working as a security guard at the Madapuram Kaliamman Temple, was picked up by the police for questioning in connection with a theft complaint filed by two women — Sivakami and her daughter Nikitha — who alleged the loss of 10 sovereigns of gold jewellery from their vehicle.Soon after, Ajith’s family alleged he had been subjected to custodial torture, leading to his death. They contested the police version that the death was natural, triggering widespread public and media attention.Following public pressure and legal interventions, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case on July 12 against unnamed personnel of the Sivaganga crime branch unit in connection with the death. Six policemen involved in Ajith’s interrogation were suspended, and a departmental probe was initiated.
