Madras HC applauds Karunanidhi

Chennai, Jun 25 (UNI) Madras High Court today commended Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his quick action in streamlining the police department following adverse remarks by the court regarding the slow pace of investigation process by the police.

''It is noticed that soon after the court expressed displeasure, the Chief Minister took serious note of it and at the District Collectors' conference held on June 19, issued strict direction to the Executive and the Police Department to strictly adhere to the procedure laid down by law while taking up complaints and commencing investigation process,'' Justice R Regupathi observed.

''This instant reaction and reflective response from the outstanding statesman, who has a composed, detached and uplifted mental and moral vision combined with the art of dexterous and practical management requisite for those who guide the course of the society, only shows the respect and esteem the Chief Minister has for the judiciary and equal anxiety to do the best for societal interests,'' he further observed.

The Judge made the observations, while directing the State Home Secretary to constitute a Special Committee to go into the anomalies pointed out by the court with regard to keeping investigations pending at the FIR stage for a long period.

While disposing of an anticipatory bail petition on June 17, the Judge had directed the Director General of Police and the city police Commissioner to take necessary steps to correct the long-standing derailment from the established procedure by the Special Branches, viz Central Crime Branch (CCB), District Crime Branch (DCB) and the local police and proceed against the police officials transgressing the limits of law for their omissions and commissions. The Judge had also directed the DGP to produce a list of inquiries pending in police stations throughout the State.

When the matter came up for hearing today, the state public prosecutor filed a report related to the city police stations and CCB. The Judge directed the DGP and the CP to furnish district wise statistics of the number of inquiry proceedings relating to money disputes and property disputes alone pending in all police stations as well as CCB and DCBs before the Home Secretary and directed the government to suggest to the court to streamline investigations of cases in accordance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court.

UNI XR GD CS ND1846