Madras high court directs state govt to form police commission

Chennai: Pulling up the state government, Madras high court has asked why a police commission has not been formed, despite a 2012 order of the court, directing the government to form a police commission.

Justice N. Kirubakaran made the observation orally, when advocate Purushothaman made a mention to take up the hearing on a petition filed in 2012 which sought to register an FIR against a sub-inspector of police for alleged adultery.

In 2012, when the matter came up for hearing, the judge noted the pathetic service condition of police personnel and their grievances and issued several directions to the state government including formation of a police commission.

On Thursday, the judge asked the government advocate “do you know what will be the fate of Tamil Nadu, if all police personnel go on strike for an hour?” Working round the clock for 24 hours, 365 days a year, police personnel need adequate rest. It was due to work pressure and depression, they either quit the job or commit suicide, the judge added.

Noting that a large number of police personnel were posted at the Poes Garden residence of former chief minister late J. Jayalalithaa, where no one lives and her memorial at the Marina Beach, the judge said “policemen are unnecessarily made to guard empty bungalows, samadhis and memorials. When ministers move around in their cars, these police personnel are made to stand on roads for hours together”.

Referring to media reports that more than 19,000 posts were lying vacant in the police department, the judge asked the government advocate to ascertain whether it was true.