Accused cops in Ambasamudram case in active duty; fast-track cases, say activists
Under the banner of Joint Action Against Custodial Torture (JAACT) - Tamil Nadu, the activists on Saturday pointed out that unlike the recent Ajith Kumar custodial death case, where swift action was taken, no arrests were made in the Ambasamudram case, and all accused officers remain in active duty. They demanded fast-tracking of all pending custodial torture and death cases and sought compensation for victims and their families.
Henri Tiphagne, advisor, JAACT, noted that Balveer Singh IPS and 13 other police personnel in his team were booked in four different cases of custodial torture and all are pending before court.
"After placing Balveer Singh under compulsory wait and then suspended, in Jan 2024, the Tamil Nadu govt revoked his suspension. Now, he receives his full salary and since March 2024, he has been serving as assistant commandant (ASP), Tamil Nadu Special VIII Battalion in Tihar Jail, New Delhi.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
He is being protected and kept safe in a place away from Tamil Nadu," he said.
Tiphagne also pointed out that since the first hearing in the JM court No 1, Tirunelveli, held on Dec 13, 2023, Singh has appeared for only 10 of the 22 hearings held so far, with the trial yet to begin.
The JAACT also condemned that IAS officer P Amudha's interim report on the case was made public and submitted in court but her final report has not yet been furnished despite a Sept 2023 high court order.
"We are to initiate contempt proceedings against Amudha regarding the matter. We also want to point out that the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act which was there in the original FIR, was removed in the charge sheet, merely because Balveer Singh belongs to the scheduled tribe status though his other co-accused are from the backward castes. The SC/ST Act can still be invoked against other accused. This clearly amounts to 'institutional cheating and suppression of material facts' in an investigation by the CBCID," added Tiphagne.
The JAACT also demanded for all victims to be provided compensation and apology as they are victims of gross police torture. "The high court must fast-track all pending cases of custodial torture and custodial deaths and in turn ensure that its registrars and the Legal Services Authority also periodically monitor such cases of custodial torture and deaths. There can be a special court for all cases of torture, namely, in the designated district human rights court, under the Protection of Human Rights Act with day to day trials being foreseen so that speedy trial assured in practice," they stated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow strikes Kyiv; targets kindergarten school
Russia launched strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on Monday, killing a person and leaving a shop and a kindergarten school on fire, AFP reported, citing officials. A video, going viral on social media, showed the school on fire after Russia hit a building. There are also a few videos showing that the entrance of one of the metro stations was damaged. "Unfortunately, we have information about one person who died as a result of the attack," stated Tymur Tkachenko, who heads Kyiv's military administration, via Telegram. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported through Telegram that the attacks affected four districts, damaging residential properties, a kiosk, and a kindergarten. He further noted damage to the Lukyanivska metro station entrance. These attacks occurred shortly after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine's proposal for fresh peace negotiations with Moscow. Previous discussions in Istanbul have achieved limited success, primarily facilitating prisoner exchanges and arrangements for returning deceased soldiers' remains. The Kremlin indicated its willingness to continue dialogue with Ukraine following US President Donald Trump's ultimatum giving Russia 50 days to reach a peace agreement or face consequences. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo by Taboola by Taboola Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy." 'The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,' he added. The EU recently implemented its 18th sanctions package against Moscow, targeting Russian financial institutions and reducing oil export price limits to restrict war funding capabilities.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Search operation to track down terrorists resumes in J-K's Kishtwar
Security forces on Monday resumed a search operation to track down a group of terrorists hiding in a dense forest in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The joint operation by the police and the army was launched on Sunday afternoon in Khankoo forest in Cherji area between Dachhan and Nagseni, they said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy Others Data Analytics Technology Finance Operations Management MBA Healthcare Leadership Digital Marketing Product Management Degree Project Management Data Science Design Thinking PGDM healthcare Data Science Management MCA Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence others CXO Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details It triggered a brief encounter with the terrorists believed to be affiliated with the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and included two top-ranking ultras carrying a reward of Rs 30 lakhs each, officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo After the gunfight, reinforcements were rushed to the scene and a massive search operation was launched to neutralise the fleeing terrorists, officials said, adding that the operation was called off late Sunday. It resumed on Monday morning with security forces deploying drones and sniffer dogs to relentlessly chase the trail to hunt down the terrorists, they said. Live Events The officials said security forces have already plugged the escape routes and expanded the operation to nearby areas, but thick foliage and challenging topography pose a challenge to the search parties. PTI
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
Justice Ramaswami, A 1989 Report & An Impeachment Proceeding: Ex-CAG Boss' Book Reveals Rot
As the Modi government looks to impeach Allahabad HC judge Yashwant Varma, a book explains how a 1989 CAG report led to an impeachment motion against Justice V Ramaswami As the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on Monday, the Narendra Modi government is expected to start proceedings to impeach Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma, from whose Delhi bungalow wads of currency notes were found. The likely proceedings bring back memories of a 1989 CAG report that led to impeachment proceedings against Justice V Ramaswami — a first in Indian Parliament where a judge faced the heat on the basis of a CAG report. Amid the buzz over Varma's impeachment, former Director General of CAG P Sesh Kumar's book throws light on Justice Ramaswami's case in particular. 'The CAG report in 1989 played a pivotal role in the impeachment motion against Justice V Ramaswami, who was then serving at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The report highlighted instances of financial misconduct and irregularities during Justice Ramaswami's tenure as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Specifically, it highlighted extravagant expenditures, unauthorised purchases and violations of financial norms," Kumar wrote in his new book 'CAG: What It Ought to Be Auditing'. In his book, Kumar takes the reader to 1989, recalling the findings of the CAG: 'The CJ allegedly misused public funds on renovations and furnishings of his official residence and office. These included expensive items such as carpets, air conditioners and furniture without proper approvals. The audit revealed that approximately Rs 49 lakh was misused for unauthorised expenditures, including lavish renovations and purchases for his official residence and office. The report flagged the misuse of funds earmarked for judicial and administrative purposes, leading to significant financial impropriety." The former CAG boss stressed in the book that while the top auditor of India 'submits audit reports based on the administrative control of the audited entity", which should have been the Governors of Punjab and Haryana, the findings involved matters of national importance for the attention of the Parliament of India, as they involved matters of judicial accountability. In the case of Justice Ramaswami, the issue gained national attention and was examined at the parliamentary level, leading to the involvement of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Lok Sabha. 'Following the CAG revelations, 108 Lok Sabha MPs submitted a motion for impeachment against Justice Ramaswami, accusing him of 'proved misbehaviour' under Article 124(4) of the Constitution. It was the first-ever impeachment process initiated against a judge of the higher judiciary in India based on a CAG report. A three-member judicial committee was constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to investigate the allegations," he recalls. The committee found Justice Ramaswami guilty of gross misconduct, corroborating the CAG report's findings, he added. 'In 1993, the impeachment motion was debated in the Lok Sabha. Despite the strong evidence presented, the motion failed because the ruling party abstained from voting. As a result, the impeachment motion fell short of the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha," laments Kumar. Justice Ramaswami was not impeached but resigned shortly afterwards, marking a controversial end to the episode. 'The case remains a landmark in Indian judicial history, highlighting both the importance of the CAG in exposing financial irregularities in the higher judiciary and the limitations of the impeachment process, particularly the role of political considerations in what is supposed to be a quasi-judicial procedure," he added in the book. The Modi Sarkar has, over the last few weeks, reached out to key opposition leaders over the issue of impeaching Justice Varma and Kumar, without taking any names, made a scathing remark on the issue. 'Contrast this with the situation and sad spectacles of cash allegedly found to have been delivered to one judge at the residence (Haryana) and found burnt in the outhouse (New Delhi) of another judge of high courts—where nothing happened till recently when it appears to be heading towards an impeachment process or resignation." Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : corruption Narendra Modi Yashwant Varma view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
