SI, 2 constables held for custodial torture of woman

The allegation is that the woman, suspected to have murdered her landlady, was picked up by police on August 11, 2014. However, her arrest was recorded three days later.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday night arrested a Sub-Inspector of Police and two Police Constables attached to the Udumalpet police station in Tirupur district in a case relating to the alleged torture and rape of a woman in custody.

A special team of the CBI’s Special Crimes Branch arrested SI Vijay Kumar and Constables Thilak Kumar and Ranganayagam. A prima facie case was made out during inquiries with the victim and her relatives. The Madras High Court had transferred the case to CBI based on a petition by the victim’s daughter that her mother was tortured and raped in custody by the police.

The allegation is that the woman, suspected to have murdered her landlady, was picked up by police on August 11, 2014. However, her arrest was recorded three days later. During the days in custody, she was allegedly tortured by some police personnel.

The Madras High Court admitted the petition and directed the State Government to pay an interim compensation of Rs. 2 lakh to the victim. Ordering a probe by the CBI, the court said that the case should be investigated by a Superintendent of Police-level officer.

Though the police had maintained that the Judicial Magistrate had not recorded any injuries on the woman during remand, the Coimbatore prison authorities had noted visible injuries on her. The victim was referred to the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Speciality Hospital for treatment, police sources said and added that the CBI Joint Director had recorded the statement of the victim in the hospital recently.