Chennai: Cops to pay Rs 2 lakh on harassment charges

Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission has directed three cops including an inspector to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to family members on charges of harassing them on instruction from a politician.

 Petitioner T.S.Pasupathy submitted that he had been residing in Virugambakkam along with his family members for the past 35 years. He was holding various posts in a political party and due to political vengeance, one of a party cadre in his area had instigated Jayaraj, inspector of Virugambakkam police station to foist cases against his family members. The inspector registered six case against him and his family members including his youngest son, who was a differently abled person.

They had obtained anticipatory bail and as per the order of the Madras high court, they were directed to stay in Tiruchy and to sign before the inspector, Tiruchy Cantonment police station. On November 5, 2014 at about 9.20 pm when they went to sign before the Tiruchy Cantonment police station, Jayaraj, S.Kannan, constable of Virugambakkam police station and A.Vijayapandian, SI, Vadapalani police station, along with with a team of 10 police men in civil dress suddenly entered the station compound and attacked the family members and tried to kidnap them.

His son Thennarasu lodged a complaint with the Tiruchy Judicial Magistrate - II, who in turn gave a direction to the police to register a case. Later, inspector threatened his family members. In the reply, the cops denied the allegation and the charges were baseless. The cops sought dismissal of the petition.

SHRC Judge D Jayachandran said considering oral documentary evidences the commission holds that Jayaraj, S.Kannan, and A.Vijayapandian violated human rights of the complainant. The petitioner is entitled to receive a compensation of Rs 1 lakh from Jayaraj and Rs 50,000 each from S.Kannan, and A.Vijayapandian.