The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Thursday (September 11, 2025) recommended that the Tamil Nadu government pay a compensation of ₹1 lakh to a man in Tirunelveli district, who was a complainant in a case of police excess involving multiple incidents in August and September 2018.
SHRC member V. Kannadasan recommended that a sum of ₹50,000 each be recovered from the respondent policemen — Imanuel, then Sub-Inspector of Police, and Muthukumar, constable — both of whom were then attached to Erwadi police station. He also recommended that the State government initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.
Complainant T. Joseph Selvakumar of Donavur Tirunelveli district submitted that a case was registered against him in connection with a dispute with his neighbour in August 2018. When he obtained anticipatory bail and appeared before the police, the respondent police personnel abused him and then slapped him.
He further alleged that on another false complaint, the police registered yet another case against him and lodged him in prison, but he was later released on bail. Though a complaint was filed before the Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police, no action was taken.
In their counter, the respondents rejected all the allegations. They denied having assaulted the complainant and further said no injuries were found on him. They also sought the dismissal of the complaint.
Considering the materials on record and arguments of both parties, the Commission said that it was categorically proved by the complainant that the respondents tortured him and abused him physically and mentally. The Commission was of the considered opinion that the respondents had violated the human rights of the complainant.
Published – September 12, 2025 12:45 pm IST
