Coca Cola staff abuses Dalit, HC directs to register FIR

Chennai, Aug 19 (UNI) The Madras High court today directed an Inspector of Police to register an FIR against an officer of the Coca Cola company for allegedly abusing a Dalit employee by using his caste name while demanding a cold drink during a break.

Justice K N Basha, disposing of a petition filed by the employee, Sivadoss, directed the suburban Vellavedu Police Station to register FIR against Mr Narendra Kumar, Area Manager of the Company, under section 3(1)(k) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and refer the mater to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for investigation.

The offence alleged in the complaint has to be investigated only by the police officer, in the rank of DSP or Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), the Judge said.

The Judge took exception to the Inspector of Police himself inquiring into the offence and coming to a conclusion that the allegation was false.

A perusal of the materials available on record shows that there were specific and definite allegations against the Area Manager in the complaint.

The petitioner submitted that the company was providing cold drinks during break, and when he demanded, the Area Manager had abused him.

UNI XR/WS DS GL BD2056