E. Subhash, third from left, one of the custodial torture victims at the Tirunelveli district police office in Palayamkottai. , Photo credits: A. sheikhmohideen
E. Subhash, one of the victims of custodial torture, on whose complaint police have registered an FIR against suspended ASP Balveer Singh, appeared before Pon Raghu, DSP, District Crime Branch, along with his wife Sangeeta on Wednesday. an inquiry.
He was accompanied by advocate Maharajan of Netaji Subhash Sena, who is coordinating with the victims. “Whereas the inquiries conducted by civil servant P. Amudha failed to collect evidence including blood stains from the police stations where the victims were tortured, the police investigation which began today [on Wednesday] Has rekindled the hope of justice being done,” said the lawyer.
According to him, another victim of Zameen Singampatti, Surya, who had initially accused Mr. Singh of pulling out his tooth but backtracked in front of Cheranamahadevi, the investigating officer and sub-collector, said on Wednesday that he wanted to remove his tooth. went back for Statement made due to intimidation
“Mr. Surya will file a complaint against ASP, Inspector Rajkumari and others at Kallidaikurichi Police Station. Though the torture victims had blood-soaked injuries, the medical officer of the Ambasamudram Government Hospital examined them during the mandatory check-up before being sent to judicial custody. fitness certificate. Even the judicial magistrate and jail officials did not raise any questions about the injuries suffered by the victims as they were produced before them,” Mr. Maharajan said.
Another victim and her teenage brother, both torture victims, will appear before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes at ‘Ezhilagam’ in Chennai on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mr. Surya alleged, “Since I was threatened by the police, I am forced to refute my allegations against Mr. Singh and others. Since other victims have appeared before Ms. Amudha, I am now ready to file a complaint.”
He said that he was picked up by the Kallidaikurichi police on March 19 at around 9 a.m. for allegedly damaging CCTV cameras installed at a public place and assaulting Inspector Rajkumari.
“Mr. Balveer Singh pulled out my teeth. He asked me to pay ₹ 50,000 for the damaged CCTV cameras. I mortgaged my wife’s gold ornaments and gave ₹ 45,000. I told my friend and was about to seek legal aid when the police took me to a lodge in Papanasam and taught me to change my statement.
He was staying at his in-laws house for treatment. Hence, her grandfather Bhootapandi appeared before Ms. Amudha to record her statement on her behalf. “Apart from speaking to me on a video call, Ms. Amudha sent two persons to confirm that I was not under anyone’s control,” Mr. Surya said.
He claimed that the police gave him Rs 50,000 after he recorded a statement that his teeth were broken after a fall.
“The police gave another ₹10,000 through sub-inspector Abraham Joseph,” he said.