TN custodial torture case: Principal Secretary-led committee draws flak on first day of inquiry

The inquiry committee headed by senior IAS officer P. Amudha, to probe into the alleged custodial torture by suspended IPS officer Balveer Singh at Ambasamudram near Tirunelveli, drew flak on Monday. None of the victims, who earlier represented their case of custodial torture before the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) appeared before the officer.

The IAS officer reached the tahsildar office around 11am to record the statements of complainants on the alleged custodial torture. Amudha, who is the principal secretary of Tamil Nadu Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department was appointed by the government to inquire into the allegations. It has been alleged that Balveer Singh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police at Tirunelveli had tortured as many as 40 men and two minors who were arrested on petty cases including brawl and theft. Balveer Singh has been accused of extreme torture of tooth extraction and crushing testicles of those who were arrested.

Days after several human rights activists and victims complained of the torture in various forums, the government appointed an inquiry commission headed by Amudha. However, no FIR has been registered against Balveer Singh or another police officer who has been placed on vacancy reserve. Earlier, after the issue came to light, a sub-collector level probe was ordered and no criminal charges were recorded on the officers who were involved in custodial torture.

“This is nothing but a way to drag the issue. The six victims who are assisted by me went to the office of the sub-divisional magistrate MD Shabbir Alam at the first instance. He refused to record their statements. Alam recorded their statement only after it appeared in the media. The victims also went to Chennai and have filed a case before the SHRC. But no FIR has been registered so far. Now the victims are asked to appear before IAS officer Amudha. Inquiry after inquiry is unacceptable,” said advocate Maharajan, who represents the custodial torture victims.