Govt must act against senior police officials abusing power: Madras HC

Observing that indiscipline among senior police officials would cause disastrous consequences, Justice SM Subramaniam of the Madras HC stated that the State government is expected to initiate appropriate action to control such abuse of power.

Subramaniam further held that the government must address the issue and, report regarding the actions initiated against such abuse of power by the higher police officials in all respects.

“There are several such allegations against the higher police officials, which cannot be tolerated under any circumstances as the same would lead to deterioration and result in unconstitutionality, more so, in violation of the statutes and rules in force,” the judge held on hearing a petition filed by U Manickavel, a former cop.

The court also held that there were several such allegations in the public domain regarding the use of black film in official vehicles, misuse of the department’s name in private vehicles, abuse of police force in the name of orderly in their residences or otherwise and “several such allegations are either unnoticed or no action has been taken by the government”.

The petitioner prayed for a direction to quash an order of the State government asking him to vacate the house allotted to him in the police quarters under Rule 8 of the TN Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Rules, 1978. A single judge and a division bench of Madras HC had confirmed the order and directed the police to file a report on the action taken against the petitioner.

Since Mathew David, assistant commissioner, estate welfare and community policing, Vepery, did not file an action-taken report against the petitioner, the judge came down heavily on the cops. The matter was adjourned to June 26.