The autopsy of Sivaganga custodial death victim B Ajith Kumar, 27, revealed several external wounds on his body, indicating that he experienced custodial abuse.
The occurrence of petechial hemorrhages in organs such as the heart and liver, along with subscalp bruises, suggests blunt force trauma and internal bleeding not usually found in accidental injuries or singular assaults, but instead indicative of extended, intentional physical maltreatment.
Severity of Injuries reveal Reccurent Assaults
The report states that there were 44 injuries noted in the autopsy, which included severe muscle contusions, haemorrhaging in the brain and organs, along with injuries of different lengths and orientations throughout the body. These injuries align with repeated, targeted physical attacks utilizing items such as sticks, batons, or rods.
The report indicated that the autopsy took place over 18 hours after he was declared dead at the government hospital, outside the standard hours for forensic surgeons. The postmortem lasted over three hours, occurring from 5:45 PM to 9:20 PM on June 29. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at GH the day before at 11:15 pm.
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The report indicates that the injuries were not superficial or random: they were extensive, structured, and profound. The report indicates that the majority of the injuries on Ajith Kumar’s body penetrated deeply into the muscle layer — occurring in at least 30 locations — indicating violent, repeated assaults.
Substantial Damage to the Brain
Report also indicated the existence of internal bleeding in the brain and organs, suggesting life-threatening injuries likely caused before death rather than after. Overlapping injuries and simultaneous contusions indicate the use of rigid, linear objects.
The report revealed significant brain injury, including subscalp contusions, skull ecchymosis, and hemorrhaging in both cerebral lobes.
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A subscalp contusion is a bruise under the scalp resulting from bleeding and swelling in that region caused by a strong impact to the head. The skin may remain intact, yet there is internal harm and bleeding beneath the surface. This frequently occurs during violent attacks, such as assaults with clubs or other hard items.
The report indicated that a deep red bruise was observed on the left upper eyelid. Dried blood stains were observed on both ears, and a brown fluid was noted around both nostrils and the right corner of the mouth.
Ajith Kumar’s autopsy serves as compelling medical proof of severe custodial abuse, probably experienced over an extended duration, aligning with torture that led to his death.
