Chennai: Dismissing reports stating that the Chief Justice of Madras high court, Sanjay Kishan Kaul, had lost confidence in the state police as false, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday dared DMK chief M. Karunanidhi or its advocate wing to implead themselves in the case related to high court security.
The Madras high court security issue rocked the state Assembly with the opposition DMK MLA E.V. Velu quoting a reported remark in open court by the chief justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. Responding, the CM asserted there was no need for Central Industrial Security Force for the Madras HC.
The CM, who was listening to Velu’s charges, refuted the allegations in a combative mode equipped with official data and also took a timely dig at the DMK quoting unruly law and order issues that occurred during the previous DMK regime including the infamous 2009 Madras high court clash between police and lawyers.
Replying to CPI legislator M. Arumugham who said that the state was witnessing a spurt in custodial deaths, Jayalalithaa shot back arguing that the statement was baseless.
Refuting the charge made by Arumugam, She said after her government assumed office in 2011, the custodial deaths in 2012 was six, 15 in 2013, eight in 2014 and so far a mere three in the current year.
“Though these are disturbing incidents, I wish to point out that the incidents of custodial deaths in the state have come down drastically and said that her government is firmly committed to the principle that it is the duty of the police to protect the citizens and not otherwise,” she said. Jayalalithaa also exuded confidence that all the recommendations by the court and human rights commission will be implemented in scrupulously.
