Madapuram incident echoes the Sathankulam case

Jayaraj and his son Bennix own a mobile phone shop in Thoothukudi’s Sathankulam. On June 19, 2020, they were taken to police station following a small argument. The police brutally attacked them at police station. Both of them died following the assault. The incident shook the entire state.
Almost five years later, now, a similar incident has taken place in Sivanganga’s Madapuram. Police officials have beaten Ajith Kumar to death. The video of the assault has been going rounds, confirming the police brutality.   
Strongly condemning the incident, the Madurai bench of Madras High Court has ordered the district judge to file a report by July 8. Meanwhile, the state government has also acted quickly on the case. Murder case has been registered against five policemen, who were subsequently lodged in prison. Sivaganga SP Ashish Rawat was put on compulsory waiting list, and ASP Shanmugasundaram was suspended.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has transferred the case from CB-CID to CBI. He spoke to Ajith Kumar’s mother Malathi and brother Naveen Kumar over phone, expressing his regret. “What shouldn’t have happened, has happened. We have taken action against those involved,” he said, assuring her of proper inquiry.
There were a lot of coincidence between the case and Sathankulam case. The case was also transferred to CBI. Though the High Court, in March 2021, directed the probing officials to complete the investigation within six months, the case has not been completed yet.
The state government should ensure justice is served in the case without much delay. Delayed justice might fail to create a huge impact on the people. The CBI should also expedite the pending Sathankulam case, and ensure justice.
In the Anna University sexual harassment case, investigation was completed within five months, and the accused Gunasekaran was found guilty by the court.
Investigating officers should speed up their inquiry process without waiting for court directions. The CBI has already lost public’s trust in Sathankulam case. They should conduct proper investigation in Ajith Kumar’s case, and regain the public’s trust.
Despite the criticisms from the opposition parties, Chief Minister is urged to take stringent actions to prevent such custodial deaths in the future.