5 policemen get RI for 'torturing' woman

By Our Staff Reporter

TUTICORIN, JUNE 15. The Sathankulam Judicial Magistrate, Mr. Narayanan, on Thursday sentenced five policemen, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to rigorous imprisonment ranging from one year to three years, on a woman's complaint of police torture.

According to court sources, on a complaint of theft in a house in 1991, the Nasareth police took one Thilagar (30) of Udayarkulam to the station for questioning. Emi Ammal, his mother, brought food for him and she too was detained in the station. Registering cases, the police remanded them to custody.

Released on bail, Emi Ammal preferred a private complaint under Sec. 200, Cr.P.C in the Tirunelveli Chief Judicial Magistrate Court against six police personnel including three officers. Alleging illegal detention and torture on false charge in the station, she said the police stripped her and her son naked and compelled them to have sex.

Taking the complaint on file, the court, later, transferred the case to the Srivaikuntam Magistrate Court from where it was subsequently referred to the newly created court at Sathankulam.

According to Mr. Mangala S. Jawaharlal, a senior advocate, who appeared on behalf of Emi Ammal, the Sathankulam Judicial Magistrate, who also heard the `theft' case filed by the police against Emi, acquitted her on May 12, since the prosecution failed to prove the charge. He also condemned the police for torturing the woman.

Delivering judgment on Emi Ammal's complaint, Mr. Narayanan convicted Selvaraj, the then Sathankulam Inspector (now ACP, PEW, Tirunelveli city), Sridharan, then Nasareth Sub- Inspector (now Inspector, Alantha police station, Vellore), and Balasubramanian, Udaiyar and Thangapandian, all constables in Tirunelveli, under Sec. 344, IPC (putting in custody for extortion), Sec. 323, IPC (causing simple hurt), Sec. 354, IPC (outraging the modesty of woman) and Sec. 109, IPC (common intention for doing all the crimes).

Selvaraj and Sridharan were sentenced to two years RI and fined Rs. 4,500 apiece, Udayar to three years RI and fined Rs. 6,000 and Balasubramanian and Thangapandian to one year RI and fined Rs. 1,000 apiece.

The magistrate, however, acquitted Mr. Jacob serving as Inspector, crime branch, Tuticorin, as the charges were not proved.

The policemen presented petitions, seeking bail and time for filing appeals in higher courts. The magistrate suspended the sentence and granted time.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Ansari justifies charges against DMK chief
Next     : Mettur also to supply water for Chennai