Chennai: The Madras high court on Friday ordered the hospitalisation of Chitra, who was alleged to have been brutalised in police custody, and is presently lodged as remand prisoner in Coimbatore jail for women. She is “not even able to walk”, said Justice V. Ramasubramanian after hearing the 49-year-old woman in his chamber.
The humane judge, while hearing the petition from Ms Rajakumari, daughter of Chitra (name changed), seeking justice, opted for in-camera proceedings considering the physical and mental trauma that the victim had already undergone. The petitioner had alleged that her mother was falsely implicated in the murder of her landlady at Udumalpet on August 10 and a group of seven policemen abused her brutally—hanging her upside down almost naked and inserting lathi in private parts—for three days to obtain a confessional statement.
“The petitioner’s mother is not even able to walk. She narrated her tale of woes. But, I refrain from recording the entire contents, as they may have a reflection in the ultimate enquiry or trial. But in my assessment, the victim requires immediate medical attention at a super-speciality hospital”, said the judge, almost indicating his shock and displeasure at the brutality suffered by the prisoner.
The judge said for the present, the respondents (Udumalpet police) are directed to admit the victim in the multi super specialty hospital at Omandurar Estate on Anna Salai, Chennai, with security provided by women constables drawn from the armed reserve wing of the city police. No other police personnel, barring this escort, “shall be permitted to meet the victim until further orders of this court”, said the judge.
Posting the case for further hearing on September 10, the judge ordered the respondents to produce a certificate of treatment at the Omandurar hospital. Also, the hospital administrator should get the victim examined by a team of doctors ‘independently’ and submit their report in a sealed cover to the court. The extension of victim’s remand, as and when it expires, should be done through videoconference—so as to ensure that her medical treatment is not disrupted.
The judge permitted the victim’s daughter and sister T. Rukmani to visit her in the mornings and the evenings during her hospital stay.
Interestingly, a battery of lawyers led by additional advocate general P. H. Arvind Pandian, represented the police and the State during the chamber proceedings while the poor petitioner only had Mr M. Purushothaman, her lawyer, to help her case.
