The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : High Court moots panel to probe anomalies pointed out by it

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Thursday, Jun 26, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

High Court moots panel to probe anomalies pointed out by it

K.T. Sangameswaran

Matter relates to police keeping investigation pending at FIR stage for long

Court wants panel to give suggestions for streamlining probe
Asks police to furnish district-wise statistics to Home Secretary

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday suggested that the Home Secretary constitute a special committee to go into anomalies pointed out by it, particularly with regard to the police keeping investigation pending at the FIR stage for a long period, and give suggestions for streamlining investigation of the cases in accordance with Supreme Court directions.

Money disputes

Passing further orders on an anticipatory bail application, Justice R. Regupathi directed the DGP and the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, and the Commissioner of Police (Mofussil), Chennai, to furnish district-wise statistics of the number of petition enquiry proceedings relating to money disputes/property disputes, pending in all police stations and the special units, to the Home Secretary.

Earlier, Mr. Justice Regupathi had made certain observations and issued a direction to the police to submit statistics of the pendency of petition enquiry proceedings relating to money disputes/property disputes in police stations throughout the State and in the City Central Crime Branch and the District Crime Branches as on June 1 this year.

When the matter was taken up on Monday, the required data was not furnished and an “initial report” was filed.

“Petition enquiry”

The court concluded that at the grassroots level, investigating officers dealing with the economic offences and property and money matters did not register cases as mandated under the law. Instead, they conducted ‘panchayats’ in the name of “petition enquiry” in spite of repeated reminders by the Supreme Court and the High Court. The matter was posted for Wednesday.

Mr. Justice Regupathi said that soon after the court passed the order, the Chief Minister issued instructions to the police to strictly adhere to the procedure laid down by law while taking up complaints and commencing investigation.

Instant reaction

“This instant reaction and reflective response from the outstanding statesman, who has a composed, detached and uplifted mental and moral vision combined with the art of dexterous and practical management requisite for those who guide the course of society, only shows the respect and esteem he has for judiciary and equal anxiety to do the best for societal interests,” the Judge observed.

The Chief Minister admonishing the police and the executive to act within the ambit of law, no doubt, deserved the court’s appreciation.

The Judge said as the government advocate had sought further time for producing a comprehensive statistical data, he was not inclined to adjourn the matter for issuing periodic directions. Such a course and respite would lead to taking undue advantage of and rendering the orders passed by the court meaningless apart from leaving scope for comments of judicial activism.

Since the Chief Minister had taken the whip in his hand, he had great confidence in him, who was “well known for his statesmanship, shrewdness and deft command in solving contentious issues in a popular way.”

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