A day after an Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police (ADSP) slapped a woman who was protesting against the relocation of a Tasmac shop in Tirupur, the Madras High Court has directed the State government to ensure adherence to the law as well as court orders during the process of relocation.
The First Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar passed the order while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition moved by advocate K. Balu of the Advocates’ Forum for Social Justice, seeking a direction to the State government to consider the objections of the locals while relocating TASMAC shops.
The petitioner also wanted the court to direct the government to provide proper medical treatment to the victims of police excess — Eswari of Iyyampalayam and Sivaganesh of Shamalapuram. “Needless to say, the liquor shops should be relocated in accordance with the law, keeping in view the judgments of the court,” the Bench said.
On April 11, the residents of Samalapuram in Tirupur staged protest against the relocation of a Tasmac outlet to their village. Television footage showed ADSP Pandiyarajan slapping a woman protester in public. The clip has since gone viral on social media. When the plea came up for hearing, the Advocate General submitted that the decision to relocate the liquor shop had been cancelled by the District Collector, and that a departmental inquiry had already been initiated against the police officer in question. As regards providing treatment to the victims, he submitted that they would be provided with necessary medical treatment in a government hospital.
Relying on a High Court judgment directing the authorities to consider the objections of the residents while relocating or establishing a Tasmac outlet, the petitioner wanted the court to direct the authorities to adhere to the order.
