Madras High Court: Give free treatment to victims

CHENNAI: While lauding the role of social media in exposing the brutal attack by police on three members of a family at Chengam, Tiruvannamalai district, three days ago, the Madras high court on Thursday directed the state government to provide free treatment to the victims at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai.

Justice P.N. Prakash, before whom a petition filed by A.Raja, a victim, came up for hearing, passed the interim order. The petitioner submitted he, his wife and son were brutally attacked by an SI and two constables attached to Chengam Town police station on July 11. He sought direction to initiate criminal action against the three personnel after registering an FIR and to suspend them from service.

The public prosecutor submitted that Raja, his wife and son were now admitted in  Government Hospital at Tiruvannamalai for treatment. The three policemen,had been transferred and posted in Armed Reserve. Meanwhile, an RDO inquiry has been ordered and immediately after enquiry, action will be taken as per the report.

Justice Prakash said “ It is seen that an unsavory incident had taken place in Chengam town, on July 11, 2016 in which the petitioner was assaulted by three policemen. Thanks to the social media, the entire attack appears to have been captured and it has gone viral”.

The judge said “This court is of the view that it will be in the interest of justice if the three victims are immediately transferred to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai and they should be given best treatment at the cost of the state. Sufficient police escort shall also be provided to them for their safety, the judge added and posted the matter for July 18 for reporting compliance.