The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday placed the district police chief of Sivaganga under “compulsory wait” over a custodial death, while five policemen were arrested in connection with the incident that has caused a furore. 

Ashish Rawat, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Sivaganga, has been “placed on Compulsory Wait at the O/o the Director General of Police/HoPF, Tamil Nadu, Chennai,” a Home Department note said. G Chandeesh, IPS, SP, Ramanathapuram, will hold the additional charge of Sivaganga. Moreover, six police personnel had been placed under suspension on June 28.

A judicial enquiry has also been ordered into the matter. The victim, security guard Ajithkumar of Tiruppuvanam in Sivaganga, was picked up by the local police, reportedly in connection with a theft case earlier and allegedly died in police custody. His death sparked an outrage, with political parties slamming the government over the issue.