The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Men harassed at all-women police stations: petitioner

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 03, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Men harassed at all-women police stations: petitioner

By K.T.Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, DEC. 2. The Madras High Court has issued notice to the police on a writ petition alleging that officials of all-women police stations acted abrasively and harassed men.

The petitioner prayed to the court that it consider the aspect of "gender discrimination" and pass directions to the AWPS on the manner men suspects or accused were treated.

In the application, filed by counsel Sivanandh and Karunagar, the petitioner of Perambur, submitted that when he went to the Avadi AWPS in connection with a complaint filed by his wife alleging harassment by him and in-laws, the sub-inspector abused him and his parents in the filthiest language and subjected them to mental harassment in the name of investigation. The sub-inspector slapped his father when he and his mother were present. The official threatened that they would be booked under the Dowry Prohibition Act, forced him to write and sign an undertaking that he was liable to return his money and all movable property.

Battered husband'

Calling himself a "battered husband", the petitioner said every citizen, whether an accused or a suspect, was entitled to dignified treatment as laid down under Article 21 of the Constitution (protection of life and personal liberty).

In matters of domestic quarrels and marital disagreements, women officers acted in an "abrasive manner, battering, harassing the men, whether husband or father, and subjecting them to unjust harassment, both physically and mentally." The rule of law did not authorise this. The women put men to shame during enquiry, the petitioner said.

Merely on the basis of a petition by a woman, her husband could not be presumed to be a criminal by the police, who are expected to function within the law. If necessary directions to the AWPS on the manner of treating suspects or accused were not given, innocent parents and husbands would be subjected to unjust harassment and use of illegal force, the petitioner said.

Justice K. Ravirajapandian ordered notice to respondents, inspector and sub-inspector, AWPS, Avadi, and the Superintendent of Police.

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