Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission directed the then inspector in Coimbatore district to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to an engineer for harassing and assaulting him 16 years ago.
In the complaint, engineer T.Venkateswaran of Erode, submitted that he had pledged some pure gold ornaments belonging to his family to Rengasamy, proprietor of Lakshmi Gold Bankers, Coimbatore. After repayment of the entire loan amount and interest, he requested Rengasamy to return gold ornaments to him who failed to return them.
On February 28, 2002 Muthuraj, Inspector, Selvapuram police Station, Coimbatore attacked him and abused him for no reason. Later, he came to know that Muthuraj had attacked him based on instigation by Rengasamy and
others. On his complaint a case was registered against Muthuraj under Section 409, 420, 323 and 109 IPC. The petitioner said the Inspector violated his human rights and sought of the Commission appropriate action against him.
In his reply, Muthuraj stated that the complaint was false, frivolous and vexatious one. Venkateswaran lodged a false complaint against him in order to harass him and defame him. The complaint was liable to be dismissed.
SHRC Judge, D Jayachandran said Venkateswaran suffered humiliation at the hands of Muthuraj, which amounted to violation of his rights, personal, liberty and dignity. Hence, he is entitled to get compensation for causing him mental agony. The judge directed Muthuraj to pay him a compensation of Rs 50,000.
