CHENNAI, JUNE 28
Guidelines laid down for police on handling arrests or accused persons include not even using hurtful language against them, while beating them up was “unlawful,” said City Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan here on Sunday.
சென்னை பெருநகர காவல் ஆணையாளர் முனைவர். திரு.அ,கா. விசுவநாதன் இ.கா.ப., அவர்கள், 28.06.2020 ம் தேதி 11:50 மணிக்கு வண்ணாரப்பேட்டை மின்ட் சந்திப்பில், முழுஊரடங்கு சம்பந்தமாக எடுக்கப்பட்ட நடவடிக்கைகள், குறித்து பத்திரிகையாளர்களுக்கு பேட்டி அளித்தார்கள்.https://t.co/2T6VQOAVL7
— GREATER CHENNAI POLICE -GCP (@chennaipolice_) June 28, 2020
His comments, made in response to reporters’ queries here on the standard procedure in this connection, come in the backdrop of a national furore over the death of a father-son duo in a hospital in Tuticorin recently after they were allegedly thrashed while in police custody earlier.
Viswanathan, speaking to reporters here, said there are a number of guidelines, besides Supreme Court directions, vis-a-vis arrests.
“Assault and torture (of the arrested) should not be done. As far as the Greater Chennai Police or the state police is concerned, we have reiterated that even language that could hurt someone should not be used,” he said.
“Beating up is wrong, unlawful. We have been insisting this to all officials, personnel and police stations,” he added.
P Jayaraj and his son Fennix, arrested for ”violating” lockdown norms over business hours of their cellphone shop, died at a hospital in Kovilpatti on June 23, with the relatives alleging that they were severely thrashed at the Sathankulam police station by police personnel earlier.
The incident had triggered a furore in the state, leading to the suspension of four policemen, including two sub-inspectors.
Civil society members and activists, political parties and celebrities have demanded justice for the death of the father-son duo.
MNM sought justice for death of father-son-duo
சாத்தான் குளத்தில் போலீசாரால் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட #ஜெயராஜ், #பெனிக்ஸ் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு #மக்கள்நீதிமய்யம் தலைவர் கமல்ஹாசன் தொலைபேசி மூலம் தொடர்புகொண்டு ஆறுதல் கூறினார்.@ikamalhaasan @maiamofficial pic.twitter.com/APeoQ4IV67
— COMMON MAN (@iCommonManOffl) June 28, 2020
Meanwhile, Makkal Needhi Maiam founder-president Kamal Haasan also sought justice for the father-son duo.
In a statement, he said while financial assistance announced by the government was needed, however, the government should not stop with it.
He called for a detailed probe into the matter, saying all concerned should be punished for their role in the incident.
Regretting for glorifying police in five of his films; Saamy Director G. Hari
Popular Tamil cinema director G Hari, known for his blockbuster cop stories like ”Saamy,” expressed concern over the Tuticorin deaths and ”regretted” his glorifying the police in five of his action flicks.
Hari expressed concern over the Tuticorin deaths. He said a Sathankulam-like incident should not recur and said highest punishment for the culprits alone would ensure this.
“The excesses of a few personnel in the department has maligned the entire force. I really regret making five films glorifying the police,” he said in the statement. Known for his fast-paced action thrillers, Hari had churned out blockbuster cop stories ”Singam” and ”Saamy,” starring Surya and Vikram respectively in titular roles, following them up with sequels.
