Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050553810300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Adopt scientific methods, investigating officers told

Special Correspondent

VILLUPURAM: There should not be any delay in filing the First Information Report and, if there is any, proper explanation must be given, said N. Rathinaraj, Principal District Judge.

He was speaking at a workshop on ‘Investigation, trial and conviction’ held at the police community hall here on Saturday. Assistant Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police and Investigating Officers from Cuddalore and Villupuram districts participated.

Mr. Justice Rathinaraj said that all wrongdoers deserved to be punished, regardless of their economic status. No mercy should be shown to an offender from a poor background nor should there be any undue consideration to an offender from affluent sections.

Justice should be rendered in a fair and honest manner. All convictions were based on the charge sheets filed by the investigating officers and therefore, it was enjoined upon the investigating officers to substantiate their charges and produce the witnesses to get the conviction, he said.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Villupuram range) G.K. Vanniabperumal called upon the investigating officers to adopt scientific methods in investigation and adopt modern technology to prove their cases. Only by producing clinching evidences conviction could be obtained, he said.

Mr. Vanniabperumal said that a feeling was prevalent in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts that convictions did not match the gravity of the offences. Owing to the shortcomings in the charge sheets, one in three cases got acquitted. Mr. Vanniabperumal called upon the investigating officers to deal effectively with all cases so that no offender would go scot-free or get lesser punishment.