Madurai: The Madurai bench of the Madras High court issued notice to the State Home secretary, Director General of police (DGP) and Tirunelveli collector on a petition seeking judicial inquiry into alleged custodial torture of a Dalit advocate in Tirunelveli.
Advocate C. Rajarithanam (46) from Radhapuram taluk in Tirunelveli district filed a petition before a division bench comprising Justices Venugopal and Abdul Quddhose stating that senior police officials attached to Radhapuram and Palavoor police station had forcefully gained entry into his house on the mid-night of November 4 and harassed his family members before they took him away in a jeep to Radhapuram police station.
The petitioner alleged that the police removed his clothes and tortured him in the lock-up. Besides humiliating Rajarathinam by referring to his caste name, the police used lathi and iron rod to inflict torture on him, claimed the petition advocate.
“After that the police personnel hung me upside down and again attacked me with iron rod and inserted slipper into my mouth,” alleged Rajarathinam in his petition.
They have tortured the petitioner only because he filed a petition under section 156 (3) before the Judicial Magistrate court, Valliyoor, against DSP Valliyoor, inspector Panangudi police station, sub-inspector, Palavoor police station and few others in connection with a case which was posted for hearing on November 10, said the advocate.
As there was no case against the petitioner, who was also a practising advocate, the police finally produced him before the Judicial Magistrate, Valliyoor. He was then admitted for treatment at Palayamkottai Government hospital on November 5 around 3.00 pm. His complaint to Radhapuram police station has not been acted upon.
Rajarathinam also made a representation to the State Home secretary, DGP and Tirunelveli collector, but to no avail so far. Hence, he approached the court.
The petitioner urged appointment of a sitting district cadre Judge, preferably, Principal district and session Judge, Tirunelveli district, to enquire into atrocities meted out against him. Besides, he demanded the government to pay compensation of Rs 25 lakh.
After examining the petition, the court also issued notice to Tirunelveli collector and posted the next hearing to November 27.
