Chennai: State Human Rights Commission has directed an inspector of Pudukottai police station to appear before the commission for inquiry in the case relating to the arrest of Lois Sopia, a research scholar, at Thoothukudi airport on complaints from BJP cadres for raising slogan against the central government in the flight.
Based on a complaint from Dr A.A. Samy, father of Lois Sopia, of Thoothukudi, SHRC judge D. Jayachandran directed Pudukottai police station inspector to appear before the commission for an inquiry at circuit house, Tirunvelveli on September 24 at 10.30 am. The judge also directed Dr Samy to appear before the commission on Monday.
Lois Sopia, a research scholar in Canada, was arrested at Thoothukudi airport for shouting “fascist BJP government down down” on a flight in the presence of Tamil Nadu BJP president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan.
In the complaint sent to SHRC, Samy stated that he was travelling in a flight from Chennai to Thoothukudi on September 3. The incident took place when he was getting down from the flight along with his daughter and his wife. When Tamilisai Sounderrajan crossed his daughter’s seat, Sopia said ‘down down fascist BJP government. Tamilisai Sounderrajan crossed her seat and moved away without saying anything.
He, however, claimed that her daughter did not raise any slogan by raising her hands. She only made statement in a low tone. Her statement did not draw the attention of the other passengers including the crew members in the flight.
However, after reaching the arrival hall in the airport, Sounderrajan had by then instigated her supporters and BJP cadres. They gheraoed and abused his daughter in a vulgar manner. They also threatened to murder her if she did not apologise to their party leader. However, she refused.
He said his daughter did not commit any offence but just voiced her opinion through a statement. Inspector of Pudukottai police station took her to the police station from the airport in a van and his daughter was questioned in the police station from 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Several officials including — Inspector of All Women Police station, Pudukottai, Inspector Pudukkotai Police station, DSP (Thoothukudi Rural), ADSP Thoothukudi, Inspector Q branch, SB Inspector and SB SI, had questioned her one after another repeatedly.
The cops informed that she was charged under section 290 IPC and section 75 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act. While she was produced before judicial magistrate, the cops added another section 505 IPC (a non-bail able offence) in the FIR.
Pointing out that the remand of his daughter by the judicial magistrate was contrary to directives of the Supreme Court, Samy requested the commission to conduct investigation regarding the incidents that took place in the aircraft, violent events that unfurled in the airport and long torturous enquiry conducted by several police officers in the police station.
He also sought suitable action against the police officials for registering false charges against his daughter and suitable action against the cops for not registering a case based on a complaint given by him against BJP cadres. He also sought appropriate legal action against Tamilisai Sounderrajan and her supporters who had intimated and abused his daughter.
