A Dalit villager from Tuticorin district has moved the Madras High Court Bench here seeking an interim compensation of Rs. 5 lakh from the State government since it had been proved that he was imprisoned by a Police Inspector, a Caste Hindu, in an unconnected double murder case of a real estate dealer and his driver in October 2013.
The petitioner, M. Paramasivam (44) of Keezha Vagaikulam, claimed that he was incarcerated for 53 days and three of his relatives were lodged in prison for 93 days before they were discharged from the case after it was taken up for investigation by another police officer who apprehended the real accused and confirmed the innocence of the petitioner and his relatives.
When the plea for compensation came up for hearing before Justice R. Mahadevan on Tuesday, the petitioner’s counsel, I. Robert Chandrakumar, contended that it was a clear case of abuse of power on caste lines since the deceased too happened to be a Caste Hindu. He also said that Tuticorin district witnessed a series of caste-based murders in the recent years due to loathsome acts of such officials.
Relying upon an enquiry report submitted by a Deputy Superintendent of Police who had recommended departmental as well as criminal action against the erring Inspector, the lawyer said that the report was comprehensive and self-explanatory as it made out commission of serious offences by the Inspector who could face charges attracting life imprisonment.
Suspended from service
He also pointed out that the Inspector was suspended from service only on June 18 after public outrage and that he was yet to be prosecuted. After hearing the counsel, the judge directed a government counsel to obtain instructions from Tuticorin Superintendent of Police on the action taken so far against the suspended Inspector and report to the court by July 10.
The petitioner, M. Paramasivam (44) of Keezha Vagaikulam, claimed that he was incarcerated for 53 days and three of his relatives were lodged in prison for 93 days
