Police harassment; woman moves HC

Madurai, March 29: Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has admitted a writ petition seeking compensation from the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary in connection with photos of a mother and son being displayed on a flexi-board containing pictures of thieves at the entrance of the Samayapuram Mariamman temple though they were not involved in any theft. Justice K.Venkataraman, admitting the petition, ordered issue of notice to the Home Secretary, DGP, Tiruchi District Collector, IG central zone, and Commissioner of police and posted the case for hearing on April9.
The petitioner K.Meenatchi, a native of Tiruchi district, alleged that police officials had put up the pictures.
Though she had sent representations to the Chief Minister, Governor and DGP, State Human Rights Commission and the National Human Rights Commission no action had been and district collector, no action had been taken, she alleged.
The petitioner prayed to the court to direct the officials concerned to remove the photographs of herself and her son. She also prayed to the court to direct the DGP to take action against those responsible.
The petitioner said that her husband, an auditor of the cooperative department, was the headman of gandhipuram village panchayat. As the police detained one durai, a resident of the village, illegally and tortured him he had given a complaint seeking action against Tillainagar police station officials who were responsible for the detention.Since then the police started taking series of vindictive actions against her family members, she alleged
She alleged that on January 2 this year, a police constable of Thillainagar station picked a quarrel with her when she was buying fruits and when her son questioned both were attacked. Then "false cases" were "foisted" against them. An advocate who came to their aid was also detained and cases were foisted against him and other relatives who came to their rescue, she alleged. Even an autoricshaw driver who drove them to the court was not spared.The Tiruchi bar association had condemned the police action, she said.
After she came out on bail she sent representations to the Chief Minister, Governor and DGP.It was against this background that the photos had been put up.
She was shocked to know about it when she went to the Samayapuram temple to offer worship. - Agencies chennaionline.com; Published: Sunday, March 30, 2008