Even as public outrage over the custodial of 27-year-old temple security guard Ajithkumar in Thirubhuvanam continues to simmer, another disturbing case of alleged custodial assault has emerged from Theni district.
A viral CCTV video from Devadanapatti police station shows C. Ramesh (34), an auto driver, being beaten by police personnel after being brought in for causing a public nuisance. The footage has raised fresh concerns about unchecked police excesses across Tamil Nadu.
The incident occurred on 14 January 2025, when Ramesh was taken into custody near Arisikadai bus stop in Devadanapatti following complaints from residents about his disorderly conduct. Police claimed he was drunk and causing a public disturbance. After being taken to the station, Ramesh was allegedly caned by officers. A case was later registered under Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and he was released on station bail.
The video of the assault came to light through an unexpected route. A lawyer who had visited the station on the same day for an unrelated matter filed a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking CCTV footage to confirm his presence there.
A month later, when he reviewed the footage provided by the district police, it showed Ramesh being assaulted by officers inside the police station. The lawyer shared the footage online on 2 July, and it quickly went viral in the wake of the Thirubhuvanam custodial death.
Reacting to the growing controversy, Theni district police released an official statement on 2 July 2025 denying that custodial violence or harassment had occurred. The release stated, “The policemen were constrained to use force to control Ramesh as he was in an inebriated state at the time of his arrest.”
An inquiry has been initiated under the supervision of an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), and officials assured that appropriate action will follow based on the findings. Meanwhile, District Superintendent of Police R. Shiva Prasad ordered the immediate transfer of five personnel involved in the incident Inspector K. Abdulla, Special Sub-Inspector Shiva Sambu, Head Constable S. Pandian, and Constables Marichamy and Valirajan to the Armed Reserve (AR) unit, pending the outcome of the inquiry.