Virudhunagar SP summoned in Tamaraikani 'assault' case

By K. T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, JULY 19.

The alleged assault on the former MLA, Mr. R. Tamaraikani, by the police on June 30 has taken a serious turn with the State Human Rights Commission ordering issue of summons to police officials for their appearance on August 1.

Following a complaint from the former legislator's son, a full Bench of the Commission has been constituted and it has ordered issue of summons to the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar; Mr. Murugesan, inspector, Mamsapuram, and Mr. Kanagasundaram, sub-inspector, Srivilliputhur Town police station.

Along with this complaint, the commission has taken up the allegation of police torture of Mr. S. Amudhan of Srivilliputhur, Secretary, DMK literary wing.

In his telegram to the commission, Mr. R. Thangamangani, son of Mr. Tamaraikani, said the police ``exceeded their powers and harassed his father'' in the name of taking him into preventive custody in connection with the June 30 arrest of the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi. Mr. Tamaraikani was brutally assaulted by the inspector, the sub-inspector and other policemen resulting in a fracture in the right leg and left hand. The police also used filthy words against him. As his health condition was serious, Mr. Tamaraikani was admitted to the intensive care unit of Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. He feared danger to his father's life.

Mr. Amudhan, in a separate petition to the SHRC, alleged that he was brutally assaulted and insulted by the police.

`Fracture due to fall from staircase'

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Police said it was learnt from hospital sources that Mr. Tamaraikani had sustained the fracture during a fall down the staircase in his house on June 30. While climbing down the staircase, ``he slapped his wife questioning her why she revealed his presence in the house to the police. In the process, he lost balance and fell down''. After his remand, Mr. Tamaraikani was referred to the Government Hospital, Srivilliputhur, where he was treated as an out-patient and later taken to the Central Prison, Madurai.

As he complained of body pain again, he was admitted to the Rajaji Hospital. After his release on July 4, he got himself admitted to a private hospital at K.K.Nagar, Madurai, where he was operated upon for fracture in the right thigh. He sustained a fracture in the left wrist joint also, the DGP said.

Though Mr. Tamaraikani alleged that he was hit with a lathi and kicked in the waist by the police, the medical opinion proved that the allegation was not true, he said.

Stalin's complaint

Meanwhile, the SHRC has ordered issue of notice to the Home Secretary, the DGP, the DIG, CB CID, and the Commissioner of Police, returnable by July 30, on the petition by the Chennai Mayor, Mr. M. K. Stalin, complaining of police excesses at his residence here in the wee hours of June 30. A full Bench consisting of Mr. K. Samidurai, Mr. S. Sambandham and Dr. M. Sushila Raj, Members, has been constituted to probe the matter.

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Section  : Southern States
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