Madras High Court issues summons to Salem ACP

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the assistant commissioner of police, CCB, Salem city, to be present in person in court on June 14 in connection with the death of a prisoner in Salem prison in 2007.

Justice P.N. Prakash gave the directive and posted to June 14 further hearing of a petition filed by advocate P. Pugalenthi, also director of Prisoners Rights Forum, after additional public prosecutor took notice on behalf of the state government and sought time to get instructions.

According to Pugalenthi, in May 2013 he came across a report prepared by V. Karuppannan, the then Deputy Jailor, Central Prison, Salem regarding the death of Sukumar, a member of AIADMK inside the prison on June 9, 2007.
 According to the report, after Sukumar developed chest pain, Karuppannan made arrangements for an ambulance to take him to Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Hospital, Salem for treatment. While Sukumar was being taken to the ambulance by prison warders, they were prevented by Selvaganapathy (former minister) and six others.

Sukumar died immediately. Karuppannan had categorically stated in his report that Sukumar died because these persons effectively prevented the prison warders from taking him to hospital. However, no case was registered against them.

He made a complaint to the authorities but got no response. Hence, he filed a petition and the Madras High Court had on December 22, 2014 entrusted the investigation to police officer M. Ramakrishnan, ACP – CCB, Salem, asking him to conduct a thorough investigation and file a final report. The court also asked the jurisdictional judicial magistrate to hold an inquiry. Over 16 months have passed since this court order. Investigation by AC is yet to be over.

Therefore, he filed the present petition to direct him to complete the investigation and file a final report, Pugalenthi added.