Custodial death: HC dismisses anticipatory bail plea of top cop

Madurai: Madras high court on Monday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the then Manamadurai deputy superintendent of police (DSP), N Shanmugasundaram, who was named as an accused in the custodial death case of temple security guard, B Ajith Kumar in Thiruppuvanam, Sivaganga district.Justice S Srimathy dismissed the anticipatory bail petition filed by Shanmugasundaram, who apprehended arrest in the case.In his petition, Shanmugasundaram said that Thirupuvanam police station was under his supervision, and he joined as DSP only one month prior to the incident. He stated that he acted diligently by instructing his subordinates to register an FIR and to investigate the jewel theft case, as he saw a lady stating on social media about her missing jewellery. However, the policemen misused their official capacity, assaulted Ajith Kumar, who died after collapsing. He stated that he was innocent and was not involved in any offence.