SHRC directs TN government to pay compensation

Chennai, Oct 9 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the state government to pay Rs 20,000, as compensation to a person who was harassed by the police in a civil matter.

In its order, a Commission Bench, comprising Chairperson Justice A S Venkatachalamoorthy and Member K Mariappan, said after making the payment, the state government should recover the amount from an Inspector of Police, Perambalur Town police station Balaguru, in instalments.

It also recommended that the Director-General of Police (DIG) should take necessary departmental action against the erring official in the light of the Commission's findings.

One S Selvaraj of Papanacherry in Ariyalur taluk in Perambalur district complained to the Commission that in August 2002, the Inspector came to his house, took him to the station and detained him in connection with a civil dispute with his brother Arulraj.

He also complained that he was assaulted and set free only after a day of illegal confinement.

The Inspector, in his counter, submitted that the complaint was false and imaginary. He denied that the complainant was brought to the station and assaulted.

The complainant was standing near Palakkarai at Perambalur in a suspicious manner and was brought to the station. A case was registered and Selvaraj was allowed to go.

In the order, the Bench said strangely, none of the respondents thought it necessary to depose before the Commission. The victim's wife, who sent telegrams to authorities about the detention of her husband, was not cross-examined with reference to the documents.

Based on facts and other attaining circumstances, the Bench concluded that the Inspector had illegally detained and harassed the complainant and interfered in a civil dispute.

UNI XR VV JT RK1045