Chennai,July 10 (PTI): The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu Government to pay a compensation of Rs five lakh to the family members of a transgender, who committed suicide following alleged sexual harassment by police.

Holding that prima facie a case was made out, A Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice P Jyothimani gave the direction while allowing an appeal filed by Jayalakshmi, sister of the transgender victim, Pandian.

The Bench also directed the State Government and Commissioner of Police, to initiate action against the police officials responsible for the treatment meted out to Pandian which resulted in Pandian committing self-immolation on June 12, 2006 and succumbing to burns on June 29.

It was open to the State Government to take appropriate steps to recover the amount directed to be paid from the police officials, the bench added.

According to the petitioner, police had named Pandian in the FIR in a theft case. Under the guise of interrogation, they took Pandian who was later remanded to custody. Later, Pandian was enlarged on bail.As part of fulfilling the bail condition, the transgender had to appear before the Vyasarpadi Police Station everyday. Whenever the transgender appeared, police attacked and sexually assaulted Pandian,the petition charged.

Despite complaining to the higher-ups, no action was taken, it alleged. Unable to bear the mental agony and the harassment, Pandian committed suicide, it said.