SHRC indicts police inspector, fines her Rs 75,000
Vijayalakshmi Swaris had not filed a counter statement to deny the allegations levelled against her.
Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission slapped a fine of Rs 75,000 on a woman inspector for harassing a shopkeeper and causing trouble to him with the help of hooligans two years ago. Stating that the gruesome act committed by the police is the worst example of cruelty and lawlessness amounting to violation of human rights of complainant Rajamannar, judge D. Jayachandran directed the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai to give protection to his life and property.
In the petition, S.X. Rajamannar of Choolaimedu submitted that in 2012, Rocky Swaris, son of the then Inspector, Egmore Police Station, Vijayalakshmi Swaris, entered into a lease agreement with him. Rocky was running a cloth shop in a building at Anna Nedumpathai, Choolaimedu. But, he refused to pay the rent.
As per direction of the Madras high court, Choolaimedu police registered a case against Rocky Swaris under section 465, 468, 471 and 420 of IPC on July 21, 2014. Rajamannar said "Rocky vacated the shop in 2015. Since then, his mother was posing trouble to him repeatedly.”
On February 15, 2016, Vijayalakshmi, entered into the shop along with her husband Betrand Swaris, her son, her daughter and a few hooligans and caused ruckus. Vijayalakshmi threatened Rajamannar to close the shop immediately.
She also warned him that she would foist case against him if he failed to close the shop.
Frightened, he closed the shop and returned to his native place. Due to the torture he was not able to use the property. He filed several complaints against Vijayalakshmi and others.
As there was no response, he approached the Commission to take severe action against the Inspector.
Vijayalakshmi Swaris had not filed a counter statement to deny the allegations levelled against her.
Judge D.Jayachandran said, "the gruesome act committed by the Vijayalakshmi Swaris is the worst example of cruelty and lawlessness amounting to violation of his human rights.”
Vijayalakshmi, being an inspector, should be a law-abiding citizen and should not take the law into her hands.
The judge said Rajamannar faced humiliation at the hands of police which amounted to violation of his rights, personal, liberty, and dignity.
Hence, he is entitled to get compensation of '75,000 from Vijayalakshmi and sufficient protection from the police to run his shop in a peaceful manner.