Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Compensation ordered for custodial death victim

CHENNAI: Ordering the transfer of a case of custodial death to the Crime Branch-CID, the Madras High Court has directed the State government to pay Rs.3 lakh as compensation to the victim’s family, including Rs.1lakh ordered in March 2006.

Justice K.N. Basha said there was overwhelming prima facie material to show that the victim had suffered custodial torture at the hands of the police. He stayed further proceedings before the Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court, Ramanathapuram, pending the investigation. Henri Tiphagne, executive director of People’s Watch, Tamil Nadu, moved the High Court alleging that Karupee, a domestic servant of Prema of Kattu Paramakudi, was taken into custody on a complaint lodged by Prema with the Paramakudi police that jewels and money were missing from her house. The woman was tortured and forced to confess. She died later.

Counsel for the petitioner Sudha Ramalingam submitted that there was enough material to establish that Karupee had died of torture. The petitioner prayed that the court direct the authorities to transfer the case to the CBI.

Additional Public Prosecutor M. Babu Muthu Meeran submitted that the woman was taken to the police station on November 30, 2002, for interrogation. The next day, she was found hanging from a wireless tower behind the station. The RDO, Paramakudi, filed a criminal complaint against the then Inspector of Police and Sub-Inspector before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ramanathapuram. The case was transferred to the Additional Sessions Judge, FTC.

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