The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered a probe by the Crime Branch-CID (CBCID) into the alleged custodial death of a 30-year-old man, Dinesh Kumar, in Madurai.

Dinesh Kumar's death is the latest in a series of custodial deaths that have sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police brutality in Tamil Nadu. In July 2025, the custodial death of a 27-year-old temple security guard, Ajith Kumar, led to widespread condemnation and a CBI investigation. The Madras High Court, in that case, made scathing observations, stating that the police acted with brutality and that "the state has killed its own citizen". The court also highlighted the shocking number of injuries on the victim's body.

In the Ajith Kumar case, a judicial inquiry was ordered, and five police personnel were arrested. The Superintendent of Police (SP) was transferred, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was suspended. The Tamil Nadu government initially transferred the probe to the CB-CID but later handed it over to the CBI. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his anguish over the incident, calling it "unjustifiable" and assuring a transparent probe. He also stated his commitment to ensuring that police officers behave humanely.

These incidents contribute to disturbing statistics regarding custodial deaths in India. One report noted that Tamil Nadu recorded 490 custodial deaths between 2016 and 2022. Activists and opposition figures in Tamil Nadu have alleged that there have been 24 custodial deaths since the DMK formed the government in 2021. However, government data presented in Lok Sabha reports 13 deaths in the state between 2020 and 2023.

Several factors contribute to custodial deaths, including the normalization of police brutality, institutional inertia, and a lack of accountability. There is also concern about the over-representation of marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, among victims of custodial violence. Some reports indicate that a significant percentage of individuals held under preventive detention in Tamil Nadu are Dalits.

In light of these concerns, activists and experts have called for urgent structural reforms in the police force to prevent custodial deaths and ensure accountability for police misconduct. Some have pointed out the lack of sensitization among police officers and the need to eliminate third-degree interrogation methods.