Key witness in Sivaganga custodial death case seeks protection, writes to Tamil Nadu DGP

CHENNAI:Days after police brutality resulted in the death of B Ajith Kumar, a security guard at Madappuram Badrakali Amman temple in Thiruppuvanam of Sivaganga district, Saktheeswaran, an executive officer at the temple, has been extended police protection.

Saktheeswaran had recorded a video of the police beating up and torturing Ajith Kumar inside the temple premises, making him a key witness in the case. Saktheeswaran wrote to the Deputy General of Police on Wednesday night, seeking police protection.

While talking to reporters at Madappuram on Thursday, Saktheeswaran said he had been facing threats and intimidation from Raja, one of the cops arrested in the custodial death case.

On June 28, Raja, who has links with rowdy elements, threatened him over the phone after learning that he presented the video clip before the high court as evidence. Therefore, he and those close to him are living in fear, Saktheeswaran said.

He appealed to the investigating officer in the case to thoroughly examine Raja’s call history and take necessary action. Since the incident places police personnel in the dock, many fear that the consequences of telling the truth may prove costly, he said, adding the victim’s family and all the witnesses in the case should be given police protection, and the officers should be from outside Sivaganga. Moreover, patrol should be intensified in Madappuram, he stressed.

As directed by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, the fourth Additional District Judge, Madurai, S John Sundarlal Suresh is investigating the incident. He will submit the report by July 8.