Summary:
Chennai, Nov 15 (PTI) The Madras High Court has initiated on its own contempt proceedings against Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) and his nine subordinates after finding they had failed to adhere to principles laid down by the Supreme Court while effecting an arrest.
Justice S M Subramaniam, who initiated the proceedings, directed the Registry to number the contempt proceedings and issue notice to the 10 persons.
Since it is a civil contempt committed by the authorities with reference to the orders passed in D K Basu case by the SC, the contempt proceeding is directed to be listed before this Court, the judge added.
S Rajarethinam of Tirunelveli was an advocate and a social activist.
He conducted a large number of cases about human rights violations in various courts.
At the midnight of November 3, 2015, when he was going through some case papers and when his family members were asleep, the police forcibly entered his house and took him to the police station without any authorisation to do so.
In the process, his wife and daughter were abused.
He was produced before the Magistrate through a senior lawyer, who ordered treatment to the injured advocate.
He was admitted to the Government General Hospital the very next day.
He also moved the Madras High Court to take appropriate departmental action against the cops, who were involved in his arrest and beating.
During the pendency of the petition, he died and his legal heirs were permitted to pursue the case.
The Additional Advocate General objected to the petitioner"s contentions by stating that all necessary actions were initiated without any lapses.