Tiruvannamalai SP M. Sudhakar on Thursday issued a dismissal order for two constables attached to Tiruvannamalai East Police Station, who were arrested for allegedly raping a young woman a few days ago.
Police sources said the constables were identified as D. Suresh Raj and P. Sunder. An initial inquiry revealed that the survivor, a native of Andhra Pradesh, had come to Tiruvannamalai along with her sister to deliver a consignment of vegetables and fruits to the common market in the town.
While they were returning home, their vehicle was stopped by the two constables at a junction in Endal village on the outskirts of the town for verification of documents. The constables took the survivor to a secluded spot and raped her. The incident occurred on September 30.
The survivor managed to reach the Bypass Road, where a few residents of Endal village came to her aid and sent her to the Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruvannamalai town.
Following the incident, G. Dharmarajan, DIG (Vellore range); Mr. Sudhakar; and V. Satish Kumar, ASP, Tiruvannamalai, conducted an inquiry. The constables were arrested, lodged at the Central Prison in Vellore, and suspended.
Article 311 invoked
On the instructions of Inspector-General of Police, North Zone, Asra Garg, the SP dismissed the constables by invoking provisions under Article 311 of the Constitution, which deals with the “Dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State”.
While the Article says no disciplinary action could be taken without conducting an inquiry against the accused employee, and he/she be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of the charges, the SP issued the order under Clause 2(b), which states that the dismissal from service is justified when the competent authority “empowered to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank is satisfied that for some reason, to be recorded by that authority in writing, it is not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry”.
The first dismissal of a police official under Article 311 was reported in Madurai, where an Inspector was removed without an inquiry on April 11, 2023 after being arrested for grabbing ₹10 lakh from a businessman. The accused officer’s plea challenging her removal from service was dismissed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Published – October 02, 2025 11:19 pm IST
