■ Install CCTV cameras in all police stations: HC to DGP
CHENNAI: In a bid to prevent custodial deaths, the Madras High Court directed the State police chief to issue consolidated instructions regarding the rights of common man approaching police stations and install CCTV cameras in all stations and ensure that the cameras already installed were in working conditions all the time.
Justice SM Subramaniam issued the direction while dismissing the second bail plea of suspended police inspector, S Sridhar, named as the first accused in the Sathankulam custodial deaths of father-son duo – P Jeyaraj and J Bennix.
Pointing out that though there were procedures to be followed in custodial death cases, the mandate was not honoured by the authorities responsible and accountable, the judge said: “Prevention of custodial death is of paramount importance. Curing being an aspect prevention is more important. Thus, periodical observations, monitoring are imminent and necessary to initiate corrective measures, and to implement various reformations in the police department and amongst the public servants who are the law enforcing authorities.”
Suo motu impleading DGP JK Tripathy in the plea, Justice Subramaniam directed him to ensure that the rights of the complainants approaching police stations and officials were boldly and legibly displayed, both in English and Tamil, in front of police stations across Tamil Nadu.
Also, seeking to ensure proper maintenance of CCTV cameras in all stations and repairs, if any noticed, must be rectified by the station house officer, within a period of three days, the judge further directed the DGP to ensure that the footages were sent to senior officers within a stipulated period. These footages should to be preserved for the period to be stipulated by the DGP in the consolidated instructions.
Regarding the dismissal of the bail plea of the suspended inspector, Justice Subramaniam said prima facie case has been established against him. “Certain conducts now raised before this court reveals that there is a possibility of influencing the other police officials in the event of releasing the petitioner on bail,” the judge added.
The petitioner’s counsel had submitted that Sridhar had undergone surgery in 2013 and has been suffering from severe back pain. He had fully cooperated with the investigation and hence he may be released on bail as his involvement was not established even during the investigation, the counsel contended.
Prevention of custodial death is of paramount importance. Curing being an aspect prevention is more important. Thus, periodical observations, monitoring are imminent and necessary to initiate corrective steps —Justice SM Subramaniam