Court criticises hasty arrest of ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy

He should not be retained in the Convict Ward, but as a normal patient in the hospital, the judge said

The Madras High Court, on Friday, came down heavily on the city police for the hasty, early morning arrest of the noted octogenarian social activist ‘Traffic’ K. R. Ramaswamy. 

“Prima facie, it appears that the arrest and taking into custody (of Mr. Ramaswamy) at 4 a.m. is unjustified. The respondents should justify their action in effecting arrest at 4 a.m. and the need for seeking remand,” said Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, who also directed the government to shift Mr. Ramaswamy to the Government Super Speciality Hospital for treatment. 

He should not be retained in the Convict Ward, but as a normal patient in the hospital, the judge said, while hearing a petition from G.R. Ravikumar who feared for Mr. Ramaswamy’s safety. The judge observed how officials showed scant regard for Court orders.

Mr. Ramaswamy was arrested for removing unauthorised hoardings on Alagappa Road, Vepery. Police argued that after tearing the hoardings, he gave an interview to a television channel right in the middle of the road and was arrested following a complaint from a motorist. 

Sources at the hospital said he was brought in unconscious and nearly in a coma, and did not seem to have eaten or drunk water all of Thursday. “He is better now after treatment and is able to converse. However, we have shifted him to the Intensive Care Unit for investigations into a specific complaint,” an official said.  

Although there were no signs of external bleeding, doctors have not ruled out internal bleeding and will be able to determine more after their investigation, the official said.

Though the government pleader claimed he was in good health while he was lodged in Puzhal prison, the medical records produced were contradictory.

A report by the civil assistant surgeon of Puzhal prison hospital states that he had bladder problems.