More than a decade after a youth in Chennai was allegedly subjected to third degree investigation in a police station leading to amputation of nine fingers and failure of both kidneys, an inquiry has confirmed the police torture and recommended suitable compensation to the victim.
G. Arun Kumar, a painter, was picked up by the police on suspicion in a theft case in 2006. Alleged brutality at the Mambalam police station led to the failure of both his kidneys and amputation of nine fingers.
His involvement in the theft was never proved.
His pregnant wife was also taken to the police station and allegedly beaten up, resulting in her suffering an abortion. With no resources to pursue a legal battle, the victim was resigned to his fate. After his parents died and his wife left him, Mr. Kumar lives in the debris of a demolished room in T. Nagar.
Though justice is in sight after a decade, thanks to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), which took up the case in the Madras High Court, the tormenting hours of torture continue to haunt Mr. Kumar, now aged 32.
While the Crime Branch CID that probed into allegations levelled by Mr. Kumar found no highhandedness on the part of the police, the Revenue Divisional Officer’s investigation found evidence to confirm torture.
In the final status report submitted in the Madras High Court recently, the RDO opined that Mr. Kumar was taken to the Mambalam police station on December 11, 2006 ,on the suspicion that he was involved in a theft.
“It has also been found that the fingers of both the hands were individually tied using rope, which led to blockage of blood circulation and subsequent kidney failure, though the medical reports are not available. The responsibility has been fixed on seven police officials for torture and a recommendation made for appropriate compensation to the affected victim from the police department,” the report said.
When the matter came up for hearing before the First Bench of the High Court recently, the Public Prosecutor sought time to obtain instructions on the quantum of compensation.
The case would come up on February 23. “I was picked up for inquiry and detained in the police station for two weeks. I was subjected to various kinds of torture. With just one finger and failed kidneys, I am finding it hard to do any work now. I will be grateful if the government can provide good treatment and help me find a job. I cannot even afford medicines and the dialysis recommended by doctors,” Mr. Kumar told The Hindu on Friday. The Tamil Nadu government will soon announce the quantum of compensation to the victim and action contemplated against seven police officials.
