Chennai cop assaulted: Panel seeks report in 4 weeks

Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission on Monday directed the Chennai Police Commissioner to conduct an inquiry relating to a recent incident of Teynampet traffic police inspector assaulting a constable and pushing the latter off his bike. The commission also gave the inquiry officer four weeks to conclude the probe and submit a report on the matter.

It may be recalled that constable Dharman, narrowly escaped death after he was pushed from his bike by inspector Ravichandran, on CV Raman Road, in Teynampet. He landed under the wheels of a van, and a CCTV camera footage of the incident went viral on social media.

Dharman's mother had passed away on November 6, and he went on leave for a week. After reporting for duty, Dharman again on November 19 sought leave for his mother's 16th day ceremony. As inspector Ravichandran denied him leave, Dharman used a police walkie-talkie and poured out his distress of being denied leave, even to perform his mother's ceremony.

Disturbed over this, Ravichandran who was waiting for a suitable time to avenge Dharman, pushed him from his two-wheeler and immediately took him to a patrol vehicle, where he and a few others forced him to drink alcohol, to make it appear that Dharman was drunk while riding.

The incident happened at 11.44 am on November 21. After the fall, Dharman was injured, and was taken to the Government Royapettah Hospital, where doctors tested him and confirmed that he was under the 'influence of alcohol'.

Dharman was suspended the same day. Ravichandran's act of pushing Dharman came to light only after officials scrutinized CCTV footage in the area.

Subsequently, Ravichandran was shifted to the Armed Reserved Wing on Saturday. Meanwhile, Dharman's wife Sridevi lodged a complaint at the Abiramapuram police station about the incident.

Based on newspaper report on the incident, SHRC judge D. Jayachandran initiated suo moto proceeding and ordered the commissioner to conduct an inquiry.

The judge asked the city police commissioner whether the action of inspector Ravichandran violated the human rights of constable Dharman? And why the inspector of Abiramapuram police station hesitated to register a criminal case against Ravichandran under Section 154 of CrPC on the basis of the complaint given by Dharman's wife?

The judge said, the commissioner shall conduct an enquiry either by himself or by a police officer not below the rank of joint commissioner of police. Also, the enquiry officer shall enquire with the complainant Dharman and record his statement. If the complainant fails to appear for enquiry, the proof of service on the complainant was to be enclosed.

The commission said the inquiry report along with all copies of the statements of persons examined during the enquiry shall be sent to this commission within four weeks. The judge adjourned the matter after four weeks.