Wed Sep 24 18:18:17 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a news article based on it:
**Summary:**
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has given the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) six more weeks to conclude its investigation into the custodial death of temple security guard B. Ajith Kumar, who died while being interrogated about stolen jewelry. The court is also pushing for the completion of the investigation into the theft of the jewelry itself. The case stemmed from an incident in June where a visitor to a temple reported jewelry missing from her car, and Ajith Kumar, who had been entrusted with the car keys, was subsequently interrogated and died in custody. Several police officers have been arrested in connection with the case, and the victim’s family has received compensation from the government.
**News Article:**
**Madurai Court Grants CBI Extension in Temple Guard Custodial Death Case**
**Madurai, India – September 24, 2025** – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a six-week extension to complete its investigation into the controversial custodial death of B. Ajith Kumar, a temporary security guard at the Badrakali Amman Temple in Madapuram. The court’s order, issued Wednesday, also compels the CBI to finalize its probe into the alleged theft of jewelry that triggered the events leading to Kumar’s death.
The case dates back to June when a visitor to the temple, Nikitha, reported gold ornaments missing from her car after entrusting the keys to Ajith Kumar. Kumar was subsequently taken into custody for questioning and died on June 28th.
The incident sparked public outcry and led to the filing of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions demanding a thorough investigation and compensation for the victim’s family. Initially, the State government provided ₹7.5 lakh in compensation, later supplemented with an additional ₹25 lakh following a court order.
Five police personnel – Prabhu, Kannan, Sankara Manikandan, Raja, and Anand – have been arrested in connection with the case, along with police driver Ramachandran. The probe was transferred to the CBI in response to growing concerns about the integrity of the initial investigation.
Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan, presiding over the division bench, emphasized the urgency of concluding both the death and theft investigations, directing the CBI to file its final reports promptly. The court’s continued involvement highlights the serious nature of the allegations and the importance of ensuring accountability in cases of custodial death.
First Piper 