Speed up trial in women SP harassment case by December: Madras HC

The Madras High court on Monday directed a lower court in Villupuram to speed up the trial in the women SP harassment case and give a verdict by December 20, against the suspended special DGP. The HC also said that the trial must be conducted on on a day-to-day basis.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu):The Madras High court on Monday directed a lower court in Villupuram to speed up the trial in the women SP harassment case and give a verdict by December 20, against the suspended special DGP. The HC also said that the trial must be conducted on on a day-to-day basis. Justice N Anand Venkatesh, having taken Suo-moto cognizance of the issue and has been closely monitoring the case, issued the instructions after having heard the arguments following the hearing.

Advocate General R Shanmugasundaram informed the judge that the State government had earlier allowed to prosecute the former special DGP and the then Chengalpattu Superintendent of Police, who had also been suspended for his alleged involvement. Meanwhile, Hasan Mohammed Jinnah, the State Public Prosecutor informed the judge that around 122 witnesses were examined and 72 pieces of material evidence had been collected in connection with the case. He added that a charge sheet has been filed against the former special DGP and former Chengalpattu SP in the Villupuram court.

The Advocate General also said that the government had recommended taking departmental action against IPS officers Jayaraman, Gunasekaran, Varun Kumar and Dr Aani Vijaya. After hearing the arguments, Judge Anand Venkatesh directed the Villupuram Chief Arbitral Tribunal to hear the case on a daily basis and issue an appropriate order by December.

The judge adjourned the case to December 23 and ordered that the report be filed on that day, adding that the Chief Arbitral Tribunal must not be, in any way, influenced by the present writ proceedings.

Earlier in February, the accused DGP was supervising the security for the election campaign of former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. It was during this time the 58-year-old officer forced the 38-year old woman officer to travel in his car, made her sing and held her hands as she sweat besides showing her pictures which he had taken earlier without her consent.

Based on the woman IPS officer's complaint, a case was registered against the accused DGP and the SP who prevented her entry under provisions of 354A(2)(outraging woman’s modesty), 341(wrongful restraint), 506(i)(criminal intimidation) along with provisions of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act by the CBCID Villupuram Unit, and the accused were charge sheeted.