SHRC calls for postmortem report

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 19. The former Health Minister, Mr. N. Veerasamy, today moved the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in the matter of the alleged suicide by the civil contractor, Ramesh, and four of his family members, alleging that the police ``intentionally harassed'' the victims.

Mr. Veerasamy, MLA from Annanagar here, prayed that the Commission issue suitable directives and take action against the erring police officers and whoever was involved in the case.

On the petition, the SHRC has issued orders to the Dean, KMC, where the postmortem was done, to produce the postmortem report and the videotapes taken at the time of autopsy before the Commission at 11 a.m. on Friday.

According to the Commission, as per the law, abetment death was a violation of human rights.

Citing the Home Secretary, the Director-General of Police, the City Police Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner, Annanagar, as respondents, the petition submitted on behalf of Mr. Veerasamy, said the city police had ``gone to the extreme level of unleashing atrocities and harassment to please their masters''.

It was submitted to the commission members, Mr. (Justice) K. Samidurai, Mr. S. Sambandham and Dr. M. Sushila Raj, by Mr. S. Ganesan, former Mayor, Mr. K.S. Radhakrishnan, advocate, and Mr. T.K.S. Elangovan of the DMK resolution committee. A similar petition was presented on behalf of Mr. S.A.M. Hussein, Triplicane MLA.

Mr. Veerasamy alleged that ``frequent threatening visits by the Anna Nagar police to Mr. Ramesh's residence to extract statements which will suit their evil schemes created panic in the minds of the family. The police intentionally harassed Ramesh and his family, thereby creating mental agony and pain''.

Systematically, the Tamil Nadu police were foisting cases under the NDPS Act, without any valid proof, in vindictive action. The tactic was adopted during the earlier AIADMK rule also and the son-in-law of a High Court judge was a victim. There was no rule of law in Tamil Nadu and no guarantee of fundamental and human rights. Press freedom was also being infringed upon frequently, the petition said.

Mr. Veerasamy sought action against the police officers concerned to put an end to ``police terrorism'' and to restore the rule of law.

Similar petitions were sent to the National Human Rights Commission also, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

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Section  : Southern States
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