Nine city cops face action for custodial torture

Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt has instructed the director general of police (DGP) to initiate disciplinary action against nine Chennai police officers for subjecting a 21-year-old student to custodial torture during the Covid-19 lockdown.

On Jan 13, 2022, A Abdul Rahman, a pharmacy store worker, was returning home late at night in Kodungaiyur when he was stopped by police near MR Nagar junction. Although he was wearing a mask, officers demanded a 500 fine, citing a daily target for penalising mask violations. When Abdul refused, his bicycle was seized, and he was forcibly taken to the police station.

"At the station, I was assaulted by constable Uthirakumar who later beat me with a lathi. Sensing danger, I discreetly recorded the incident by switching on my phone camera and left it running on a chair," said Abdul. The video captured clear evidence of police brutality.

Soon after, Abdul's friends, many of them law students and advocates, rushed to the station, secured Abdul's release, and admitted him to a hospital. "Police retaliated by filing false charges against me, accusing me of disturbing public peace and attempting to escape custody," he said.

Although Uthirakumar and head constable Boominathan were initially suspended, they were later reinstated. While criminal proceedings, including a CB-CID investigation, are still pending in court, an independent investigation ordered by the Chennai collector, under Police Standing Order 151, confirmed serious human rights violations by nine officers at the Kodungaiyur station.

The probe, conducted by the Puzhal revenue divisional officer in July 2024, was supported by medical reports from Chengalpet Govt Medical College Hospital, which found Abdul's injuries to be grievous.

Following these findings, the state public (law and order) department ordered disciplinary action against the nine officers.

It also directed that Abdul be compensated with 1 lakh, to be recovered directly from the salaries or pensions of the guilty officers.