Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Court tells police chief to nominate officer for probe

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Police Commissioner to nominate a Superintendent of Police to enquire into the allegations by a person that he was beaten up by the police when he went to the station to comply with a bail order.

The report should be submitted on July 7.

Romaiah (24) of Pudupet was released on bail by the High Court on the condition that he should be available for interrogation by the All Women Police Station, Chintadripet, daily at 10.30 a.m. for three weeks.

In the writ petition filed by counsel M.Udhaya Bhanu, the petitioner submitted that he complied with the condition imposed. At the police station, he was made to stay from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and harassed. On June 21, around 10.30 a.m., the Sub-Inspector, Vijayakumari, on instructions from Inspector Navaneetham, hit him with lathi and caused severe injuries.

Counsel submitted that a telegram was sent to the Commissioner that the petitioner had been hospitalised. A request was also made to him to take action against the officials concerned.

The petitioner urged the court to modify the bail order and permit him to continue to report before the XIV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, instead of the police station.

When the petition came up before Justice R.Regupathi, he directed the appearance of the SI and the Inspector. When questioned through the Government Advocate, they denied the allegations. They said that they were not even available at the police station at 10.30 a.m.

Mr. Justice Regupathi said he was not going into the allegations in detail and directed the Commissioner to nominate a Superintendent of Police for conducting an inquiry.

The Judge said that in view of the allegations, the condition was being relaxed.

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