SHRC asks 2 cops to pay Rs 2 lakh to victim for custody torture
Suspecting him of lorry jacking, the cops assaulted him with lathi after stripping him naked in the police station.
Chennai :The State Human Rights Commission has directed two police men to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to techie for torturing him in custody for five days in Sivagangai district eight years ago.
Suspecting him of lorry jacking, the cops assaulted him with lathi after stripping him naked in the police station.
In the petition, M. Manikandan, Embalam, Puducherry, submitted he owned two tractors and trailers for transporting sugar canes to sugar mills. He used vehicles for Sakthi Sugar Limited Unit II, Padamathur, Sivagangai District.
On July 5, 2010, while waiting at the sugar mill, Manikandan was arrested by Vadivel Murugan, SI of Sivagangai Police Station without giving any information. Only after repeated request, the cops informed him that he stole a lorry.
Manikandan said he was kept under illegal custody and was tortured for five days.
Denying the allegation, the cops said on July 5, 2010, a case was registered in Sivagangai town police station against an unknown person, Durairaj and driver Kumar on a complaint given by Moorthi, who suspected their involvement in stealing his lorry.
After inquiry, the inspector did not find any evidence against Manikandan and he was sent home. They had not used any force and not tortured him.
Judge D. Jayachandran said the inspector did not produce Manikandan before the judicial magistrate within 24 hours after arrest. He was detained in the police station for five days and was tortured.
When an innocent person is falsely implicated, he not only suffers from loss of reputation but also faces mental agony and his personal liberty also violated.
The judge directed the cops to pay him a compensation of Rs 2 lakh. The commission has also recommended the government to initiate disciplinary action against the then inspector and SI.