RDO inquiry into 'police assault' on advocate stayed

Chennai, Jan 5 (UNI) Madras High Court today stayed all further proceedings of the RDO inquiry into the alleged attack on December 14 in Coimbatore by police on a partially blind advocate.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice K Chandru stayed the inquiry proceedings while admitting a petition filed by Coimbatore Bar Association and the victim A S Mohamed Rafi.

The bench ordered notice to the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary and police personnel allegedly involved, while posting the matter to January 29.

According to the petitioner, Rafi was an Association member and practising in Coimbatore for the past 13 years. He was suffering from brain tumor and had partial facial paralysis due to which he lost his right eye vision. His left eye vision too was not full.

On December 14, while crossing a road, he accidently bumped against a woman constable Sathiyabama, who abused him and brutally beat him up in the crowded place.

Later, he was taken to the all woman police station in the bus stand where Sub-Inspector Vijayalakshmi and constable Jaishankar severely beat him up. The beating came to an end only when Rafi's senior counsel and association members rushed to the police station.

His complaint against police was registered only after top officials came to the spot and the attempt to cover up the incident failed, it said, adding, however, the complaint from the woman constable alleging molestation was promptly registered.

He was taken to Coimbatore Medical College hospital but as the doctor insisted he should sign in the accident register and declare that he was under the influence of alcohol, he left and admitted himself to a private hospital.

The petitioner claimed he had so far spent about Rs one lakh and he would be unable to resume his profession for another two or three months as he had become immobile.

It sought compensation of Rs ten lakh and imposition of punishment on the erring police personnel, besides an inquiry by a retired judge of the High Court.

UNI