DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan on Sunday issued a legal notice to Mylapore Deputy Commissioner of Police V. Balakrishnan for giving television interviews in which he had commented on the violence on the Marina and Triplicane areas during the jallikattu protests.
Stating that the matter was subjudice, the MLA, who represents the Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni constituency, argued that Mr. Balakrishnan had “no right, business or authority to comment upon the issue.” The notice was issued by the party’s legal wing secretary, R. Girirajan on behalf of Mr. Anbazhagan.
The notice alleged that the DCP was making “various false statements through the visual and print media; giving distorted versions about the attack on the protesters and innocent public and the atrocities which happened on January 23.”
Mr. Anbazhagan charged that the officer was making statements deliberately with a malafide intention to save higher officials, himself and other police personnel “involved in the barbaric, inhuman attack.”
The notice claimed that such interviews and statements given by the DCP, especially when the issue was pending in court and with the Human Rights Commission, was also an offence punishable under Section 153, 153 A, 166 of the IPC, apart from a “direct attempt” to influence the minds of the investigating officers.
The IPS officer could face action for misconduct, as per the All India Service Rules, Mr. Anbazhagan said.
The notice also held that such statements would predetermine the cause and lead to improper investigation.
