JP Nikitha, Who Accused Watchman Ajith of Theft, Named In 2011 Cheating Case

Tamil Nadu Police Custody Death Of Ajith Kumar: In a development that could potentially shift the narrative in the case of Ajith Kumar's alleged custodial death, it has come to light that JP Nikitha-the woman who accused the temple watchman of theft-was previously named as one of six accused in a forgery and cheating case registered in 2011 at the Thirumangalam police station in Tamil Nadu.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Thirumangalam police on May 10, 2011, six individuals-J. Sivagamani Ammal (60), her husband Jeyaperumal (65), their son J.P. Kaviyarasu alias J. Vaibhav Saran, daughter-in-law K. Sugadevi (29), daughter J.P. Nikitha, all residents of J.P. Gardens in Vilangudi, Tirumangalam, along with Bhagat Singh (32) from the same area-were listed as accused in a case of cheating, The Hindu reported.

The complaint, filed by S. Rajangam (65) from Tirumangalam, stated that he and two relatives were promised government jobs in exchange for money. "J.P. Kaviyarasu, saying that he was close to the Personal Assistant of the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, promised the complainants that they would be provided government jobs if they were ready to pay him," the FIR read.

The accused allegedly demanded ₹9 lakh for securing a teacher's post and ₹7 lakh for a Village Administrative Officer position. The complainant handed over a total of ₹16 lakh to the accused over several dates between December 21, 2010, and February 2, 2011, the FIR noted. Following this, police registered a case under IPC Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property).

Now, amid the ongoing uproar over the custodial death of 29-year-old Ajith Kumar-security guard at the Madapuram Badrakaliamman Temple in Sivaganga district-attention has turned towards Nikitha's past and her role in triggering the sequence of events that led to Ajith's death.

Nikitha had accused Ajith of stealing 10 sovereigns of gold jewellery, including a chain, from her car on June 27. However, as the controversy deepens, her conflicting statements and the resurfacing of her previous cheating case have raised serious doubts about her credibility.

Speaking to The Federal, Nikitha maintained her innocence: "I only filed a complaint of missing jewellery. We learned of watchman Ajith Kumar's death only when the police informed us. My mother and I are devastated, crying over this tragedy. How can we bear this sin?" she said.

Refuting social media speculation linking her to political or bureaucratic influence, she added, "Yet, people are spreading false claims about us, linking us to DMK or saying we have IAS connections. The truth is, I've lost Rs 2 lakh to DMK functionaries and have no influence. Our lives have been turned upside down in a single day."

According to Nikitha's account, shared via a video, she and her mother had visited the temple for prayers. Her mother, who was unwell, insisted on praying before undergoing a medical scan. Nikitha alleged that Ajith, who assisted them with a wheelchair, demanded ₹500 for his help, which led to a verbal altercation. She ultimately gave him ₹100. Later, after a meal, she discovered her jewellery was missing and filed a complaint.

Despite her report, police did not register a formal FIR. Instead, a "special team" detained Ajith illegally and subjected him to brutal torture at multiple undisclosed locations. The severe assault allegedly led to Ajith's death, sparking public outrage over police excesses and the unchecked abuse of power, the website reported.

As calls grow louder for accountability over Ajith Kumar's death, the revelation of Nikitha's past involvement in a fraud case has further complicated an already sensitive and tragic case.