⚖️ Revisiting Rajakannu — A Real-Life Prelude to Jai Bhim
In the early 1990s, the brutal custodial disappearance and death of Rajakannu, an Irular tribal man, in Cuddalore became a watershed moment in Indian human rights discourse. Rajakannu was falsely accused of theft, tortured in police custody using brutal means, and his body was later found far from the station. Justice K. Chandru successfully challenged the state, exposing the torture and eventual custodial murder—an ordeal compellingly portrayed in the 2021 film Jai Bhim timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15dtnext.in+15.
The case starkly revealed systemic abuses, use of torture against marginalized individuals, bypassing legal procedure, and institutional unwillingness to register FIRs or transparently investigate deaths in custody.
🕯️ Ajith Kumar: A Disturbingly Similar Tragedy, Three Decades Later
On June 27–28, 2025, 27‑year‑old Ajith Kumar, a contractual temple security guard in Sivaganga, was taken into custody after a complaint about gold theft. Within hours, he was tortured—witnesses reported beatings with pipes, chilli powder forced into his mouth, and confinement in secluded areas—before collapsing and dying sabrangindia.intimesofindia.indiatimes.com+5thenewsminute.com+5sabrangindia.in+5.
A preliminary post-mortem revealed multiple injuries (44 external wounds, internal bleeding, traumatic brain hemorrhage) consistent with sustained torture. A viral video and judicial observations reinforced that Ajith endured third-degree methods akin to Rajakannu’s ordeal (timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15). sabrangindia.in+15thelegalaffair.com+15.
🔄 Striking Parallels Between the Two Cases
| Aspect | Rajakannu (1993) | Ajith Kumar (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | Tribal, falsely accused | Temple guard, minimal involvement |
| Accusation | Burglary/theft | Jewellery theft complaint |
| Custody circumstances | Detained without FIR, tortured | No FIR initially, detained under “preliminary enquiry” dtnext.inthelegalaffair.com+10sabrangindia.in+10timesofindia.indiatimes.com+10thefederal.com+1thelegalaffair.com+1 |
| Torture details | Severe beatings, false escape narrative | Repeated beatings with pipes, chilli, remote questioning |
| Post-mortem findings | Beatings, fatal injuries documented (~50 wounds) | 44 injuries, brain hemorrhage, cigarette burns |
| Judicial response | High Court vindicated victim’s rights; systemic critique | Madras HC called it “police organised crime”, ordered judicial oversight |
| Investigation transferred to CBI | Yes, to ensure independent probe | Yes — CBI now handling case, arrests made |
Both cases underscore the continuation of deep-rooted police impunity, systemic brutality in custodial settings, and the state’s failure to trust marginalized communities under the guise of routine policing.
Judicial Condemnation & Public Outcry
- The Madras High Court in Ajith’s case blasted police for acting like an organised criminal enterprise, questioning why no FIR was lodged and how brutal tortures were inflicted without judicial oversight dtnext.in+14thelegalaffair.com+14sabrangindia.in+14.
- Over the years, Tamil Nadu has recorded 24 custodial deaths under the current regime, reflecting an alarming pattern thefederal.com+3thefederal.com+3thenewsminute.com+3.
Government Action & Accountability
- Five policemen arrested, and six suspended immediately after the post-mortem english.mathrubhumi.com+15thenewsminute.com+15thefederal.com+15.
- SP Ashish Rawat transferred to compulsory wait in Chennai; DSP suspended thefederal.com+5deccanchronicle.com+5news9live.com+5.
- Chief Minister MK Stalin has categorised the custodial death as “unforgivable” and handed the probe to the CBI, pledging full cooperation sabrangindia.in+3english.mathrubhumi.com+3indiatoday.in+3.
The haunting similarity between the Rajakannu and Ajith Kumar cases—separated by more than 30 years—reveals that police violence, torture, absence of transparency, and delayed accountability remain entrenched in Tamil Nadu’s enforcement apparatus.
Experts underscore that until India ratifies the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and enacts robust anti-torture laws, custodial deaths will continue. The DK Basu guidelines and Supreme Court rulings remain inadequately enforced thelegalaffair.com+2sabrangindia.in+2thefederal.com+2.
Without structural reform—through independent civilian oversight, judicial safeguards, police retraining, and transparent investigations—these tragedies will persist.
- The CBI and judicial commissions are expected to file detailed charge-sheets within weeks.
- Madras HC will closely monitor for delays or cover-ups.
- Civil society and political factions will likely sustain pressure for legislative overhaul.
- Whether Ajith Kumar’s death prompts institutional reform or proves another chapter in a cycle of impunity remains to be seen—yet echoes of Rajakannu’s ordeal reverberate ominously.
In essence, the Ajith Kumar tragedy is not just another headline—it is a chilling reminder that the brutal pattern exposed in Jai Bhim continues to the present, demanding urgent action to safeguard human rights in custodial settings.
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