Complete trial in Ajith Kumar’s custodial death case in nine months, HC tells Madurai court

MADURAI The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Fifth Additional Sessions Court in Madurai to complete the trial in the case of illegal custodial torture death of temple security guard B. Ajith Kumar in Sivaganga district within nine months. The court was hearing the petitions filed by the accused in the custodial death case: the then Manamadurai Deputy Superintendent of Police N. Shanmugasundaram, the then Thirupuvanam Inspector S.P.

Ramesh Kumar, the then sub-inspector S. Sivakumar and the then head constable G. Ilayaraja. They challenged the remand order passed by the Fifth Additional Sessions Judge in Madurai.

Dismissing the petitions, Justice P. Murugan said the accused merely challenging the order of remand under Section 528 of the BNSS without approaching bail jurisdiction was not correct. Once the accused have been remanded in judicial custody with a reasoned order, they must work out their remedy before the appropriate forum for bail. The court confirmed the remand order.