CHENNAI: The State Human Rights Commission has recommended that a Sub-Inspector of Police pay a compensation of Rs.15,000 to six persons for violating their rights.

Passing orders on two complaints against the police, Justice S. Thangaraj, Acting Chairperson of the rights body, said the Tamil Nadu Government should initially pay the compensation and later recover the sum from the police official's salary.

Complaints

The Commission received two complaints from the Magalir Satta Udavi Mandram, Chennai, alleging that on August 6, 2004 the president and members of the Students Federation of India were waiting to meet the Director of School Education to present a petition containing their demands.

The Director was not available then. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd leading to police using "minimum force." The SFI members were taken to Nungambakkam police station. While going in the van, the then Sub-Inspector, Murugan, beat some of the arrested persons.

Detention

At the police station, those arrested were kept in a room, which had no proper ventilation and light. They were not given water or treated for the injuries.

The Sub-Inspector submitted that during a melee among the students, they sustained minor injuries. The police gave them medical treatment.

They were treated with courtesy. Two FIRs were registered against the students for acts of violence.

In the order, Mr. Justice Thangaraj said except the Sub-Inspector, others were not identified by the students. The Commission was aware that to control protesting students and to preserve peace, the police had no other option but to use the minimum force.

The facts

However, the facts available on record and the injuries suffered by six of the students and also everyone of them had stated that the Sub-Inspector had caused those injuries on them, will be sufficient enough to hold that the police official had committed violation of human rights. "There is clinching evidence against R2 (Sub-Inspector) for commission of human rights violations." The official had exceeded the limit while discharging his lawful duties.

Such excess could not be condoned, the Commission said and recommended payment of a compensation of Rs.2,500 each to Wesley Murugan, V. Selva, A. Venmathi, Shakila, S. Lenin and V. Lenin.

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