DGP ordered to ensure officers' attendance in Madras High Court

CHENNAI: Coming to the rescue of persons filing habeas corpus petitions the Madras high court has directed the DGP to ensure that the attendance of investigating officers in the court during the hearing. The Division Bench comprising Justice C.T. Selvam and Justice N. Sathish Kumar, before which a habeas corpus petition with regard to missing of mentally disordered women, came up for hearing, passed the order.

While referring another HCP, the bench, said, “in the earlier HCP we were informed that the concerned Inspector of police was on VIP security duty. Again in the present HCP, this Inspector is not present owing to the same reason. This court hereby directs the DGP to ensure that the police officials, whose presence is required in court at least in so far as HCP’s filed by anxious parents, brothers, sisters and relatives of missing persons seeking production of detainees are concerned such cases are adjourned to specific dates”.

“The DGP shall ensure that the proceedings of this Court are not hampered by posting the officers on other duty when their presence is necessary before this court on the specific dates of hearing,” the bench said. Stating that the order shall be seen as one in the nature of continuing mandamus and shall apply not only to the present case the bench said: “this order is not only to present incumbent DGP but also those who subsequently come to hold such post.”