Date:27/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/27/stories/2008122754180400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Probe alleged illegal detention of three persons: court

K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the jurisdictional DIG of Police to enquire into a matter relating to the alleged illegal detention and torture of three persons by police while searching for a student of the Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College here, and take necessary departmental action.

A Division Bench comprising Justices M. Chockalingam and S. Rajeswaran passed the order on a petition filed by J. Saravanan. The petitioner’s counsel, P.Vijendran, submitted that Mr.Saravanan’s father, Jagannathan, sister Akila and another relative Alagarsamy, were taken by the Inspector of Kudavasal police station and detained unlawfully stating that one Raja, a III-year student of the law college here, had to be arrested in connection with the incident at the college on November 12. The three were tortured and the petitioner’s mother was threatened. He prayed the court to direct the authorities to produce the three before the court and set them at liberty.

The government submitted that the three were released after interrogation. The allegation that they were tortured was false.

In its order, the Bench said it was of the considered opinion that once it was an admitted position that the three had actually not been in custody as on date and for the purpose of interrogation they were all taken by the police and Mr. Raja had also surrendered, no question of consideration of the petitioner’s request would arise. Hence, the petition should be dismissed. However, in view of the allegations made, the DIG within whose jurisdiction Kudavasal police station fell, should conduct an enquiry into the allegations and take necessary departmental action. The Bench dismissed the petition.