The guidelines do not allow the accused to be beaten, said the Chennai police chief. (Representative)
Chennai:
Guidelines for handling arrests do not allow rude language or beat the accused, Chennai police chief AK Viswanathan said on Sunday.
His comments, made in response to journalists’ questions about standard procedure in this regard, come in the context of a national rage over the death of a father-son duo in a Tuticorin hospital recently after they were allegedly beaten while in custody earlier. .
The director of the popular Tamil cinema G Hari, known for his success stories of cops as “ Saamy ”, expressed his concern at the death of Tuticorin and “ regretted ” having glorified the police in five of his action movies.
Viswanathan, speaking to reporters here, said there are a number of guidelines, in addition to Supreme Court instructions, regarding the arrests.
“Assault and torture (of those arrested) should not be practiced. Regarding the Greater Chennai or State police, we reiterated that even language that could hurt someone should not not be used, “he said.
“The beatings are bad, illegal. We have insisted with all the officials, staff and police stations,” he added.
P Jayaraj and his son Fennix, arrested for “ violating ” lock standards during the opening hours of their cellphone store, died in a hospital on June 23.
Their relatives claim to have been severely beaten at the Sathankulam police station by police earlier.
The incident sparked fury in the state, resulting in the suspension of four police officers, including two sub-inspectors.
Members of civil society and activists, political parties and celebrities demanded justice for the death of the father-son duo.
Meanwhile, director Hari expressed concern over the death of Tuticorin.
He said that an incident similar to Sathankulam should not happen again and that the highest punishment for the only culprits would guarantee that.
“The excesses of a few staff members decried the strength. I really regret having made five films glorifying the police,” he said in the statement.
Known for his fast-paced action thrillers, Hari had produced success cop stories “ Singam ” and “ Saamy ”, with Surya and Vikram respectively in titular roles, following them with sequels.
Meanwhile, Makkal Needhi Maiam’s founding president, Kamal Haasan, also called for justice for the father-son duo. In a statement, he said that while the financial assistance announced by the government is necessary, the government should not stop there.
He called for a detailed investigation into the case, saying that everyone involved should be punished for their role in the incident.
Meanwhile, an officer attached to the city police was suspended pending an investigation following a publication on social media in connection with the Sathankulam incident.
