Sivaganga custodial death: Key witness alleges threat to life, seeks armed police protection 

Mr. Saktheeswaran, in his plea to the DGP, said he feared for his life as well as the safety of his family members

Fearing threats to his life, M. Saktheeswaran, 34, the key witness in the custodial death case in Sivaganga district, has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking police protection.

Mr. Saktheeswaran, an employee at the Adaikkalam Katha Ayyanar Badrakaliamman Temple, is an eyewitness to the incident in which policemen brutally attacked the temple’s security guard, B. Ajith Kumar, on the premises, eventually causing his death.

Mr. Saktheeswaran had recorded the police beating Ajith Kumar on his mobile phone, and the clip has since gone viral. The video footage was also submitted as evidence in court.

In this context, Mr. Saktheeswaran sent an email to the DGP seeking police protection. He also pointed out that the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had already directed the State government to provide necessary protection to the eyewitness.

He claimed that one of the accused, a policeman currently under suspension, was in touch with history-sheeters and criminals. Mr. Saktheeswaran said he feared for his life as well as the safety of his family members. In his plea, he requested an armed police guard, specifying that the officer should not be from the Thirupuvanam police station.