In a powerful show of solidarity and public outcry, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief and actor Thalapathy Vijay led a protest on Sunday, July 13, in Chennai’s Sivananda Salai, demanding justice for Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old victim of alleged custodial torture in Sivaganga district.
Thousands Demand Justice for Ajith Kumar
Ajith, a temple security guard, was arrested last month over a jewelry theft complaint and allegedly subjected to brutal custodial torture. He later succumbed to his injuries.
A sessions court confirmed third-degree abuse, and the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered a CBI probe, with the final report due by August 20.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: TVK cadre stage protest in the presence of party chief and actor Vijay, demanding justice for the custodial death victim Ajith Kumar.
(Source: TVK) https://t.co/f1gyLPLHxs pic.twitter.com/DZgvPHZumW
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2025
The protest saw participation from over 6,000 TVK cadres, while 2,000 police personnel were deployed to maintain order. Actor Vijay, making his first public appearance in an agitation, personally met with families of 24 custodial death victims, 18 of whom joined him in a closed-door meeting the day prior.
Vijay’s Statement and Party Demands
In a rare political gesture, Vijay offered ₹25,000 in aid to each affected family and handed ₹2 lakh to Ajith Kumar’s mother. TVK has issued two key demands:
- Formation of a High Court–monitored Special Investigation Team
- Publication of a white paper on all custodial deaths reported in Tamil Nadu since 2021
“We need answers. We need justice. No one should die under illegal custody in a democratic state,” Vijay reportedly told senior TVK members during the gathering.
This protest is being seen as a strategic political move by Vijay, who is expected to make a full-fledged entry into electoral politics ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
