Latest news with #Tiphagne
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Activist calls for special law to prevent honour killings in the State
Human rights activist and Executive Director of People's Watch, Henri Tiphagne, has urged the State government to immediately convene the Legislative Assembly and enact a special law to prevent honour killings in Tamil Nadu. Addressing the media in the district on Wednesday (July 30, 2025), Mr. Tiphagne referred to the recent murder of Kavin Selvaganesh (27) in Tirunelveli, calling it an instance of honour killing. He alleged that police personnel were among the accused and hence their arrest was being delayed by the police department itself. 'Anyone involved must be arrested immediately, and the case should be expedited to ensure swift punishment,' he said. He pointed out that several political parties, women's organisations, and Dalit groups have been protesting against honour killings, and reiterated the need for a special law to effectively curb such crimes. 'Existing laws, including those meant to prevent atrocities, are inadequate. Only a special law can offer a lasting solution,' he emphasised. Mr. Tiphagne also strongly condemned the recent murder of a High Court lawyer in Dharapuram, Tiruppur district. 'The victim, who was a person with disability, was brutally murdered, and two other lawyers were also assaulted. This heinous crime appears to have been committed with the cooperation of the police,' he alleged. He demanded a special investigation under the supervision of the Inspector General of Police, Western Zone, and said that a Deputy Superintendent of Police from Tiruppur should head the probe. 'The State government must take the incident seriously, provide adequate protection to witnesses, and take immediate action,' he said. 'The Chief Minister, who has consistently voiced support for the rights of persons with disabilities, must intervene to ensure justice is delivered in this case,' he added.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
JAACT-T.N. seeks compensation, apology for Ambasamudram custodial torture victims
Members of Joint Action Against Custodial Torture – Tamil Nadu, through a press meet here on Saturday, sought compensation and apology for the victims of Ambasamudram custodial torture case. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director of People's Watch, said that the incidents of the horrific crime committed by an IPS officer on the suspects had faded away from the public memory over the period of two years. 'When the police personnel who were responsible for the custodial death of B. Ajith Kumar of Sivaganga were suspended and arrested, why a preferential treatment for IPS officer Balveer Singh who's offence was no less than theirs,' he asked. While on March 29, 2023, Ambasamudram Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was placed under compulsory wait and then suspended on January 22, 2024, the Tamil Nadu Government revoked his suspension, citing that he had already been under suspension for nine months, he added. 'Now he receives his full salary and since March 18, 2024, has been serving as Assistant Commandant (ASP), Tamil Nadu Special VIII Battalion in Tihar Jail, New Delhi,' he noted. Mr. Tiphagne wondered whether the transfer to a place far away from Tamil Nadu was to hide the officer from the public and media. As the first hearing in the Judicial Magistrate Court No 1, Tirunelveli, was held on December 13, 2023, so far, Balveer Singh had appeared for only 10 of the 22 hearings and the trial was yet to begin, he said. Despite serious allegations, he and other police personnel continued in service without suspension or accountability, he charged. He further noted the CB(CID) that investigated the four cases in connection to the custodial torture cases had withheld the caste identity of two other accused who belong to Backward Class (BC) to avoid invoking the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act in the charge sheet, though the initial FIR was under the SC/ST (POA. The SC/ST Act, which was there in the original FIR, was removed in the charge sheet, merely because Balveer Singh belonged to the Scheduled Tribe status though his other co-accused were from the backward castes, he observed. This clearly amounts to institutional cheating and suppression of material facts in an investigation by the CB CID, he added. Further, he demanded compensation for all the victims as the pain they endured could have cost many of them their lives. 'Fortunately, as the pus formation did not take place, their lives were saved,' Mr. Tiphagne stated. Above all, as per the 'UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, 2005,' the State owed them an apology, he noted.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
UN-linked body has recommended for downgrading NHRC's accreditation: NGO
MADURAI: The Sub Committee of Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), a Geneva-based, UN-linked body, has recommended downgrading the accreditation of India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to 'B' from 'A', expressing concerns over its independence and effectiveness in conforming with international norms, said Henri Tiphagne, the executive director of NGO People's Watch, on Saturday. Addressing media persons in Madurai, Tiphagne said the NHRC involving police officers in its investigations, lack of transparency in other appointments, and failure in addressing various human rights violations are reasons cited for the commission's downgrade. Though the SCA of GANHRI stated it gave several chances to the NHRC to rectify the above issues by deferring its accreditation for two consecutive years, it added sufficient steps were not taken to implement the suggestions. Calling it a big blow to the country and the commission, Tiphagne blamed the inaction of the commission during the chairmanship of Justices HL Dattu and Arun Mishra. The NHRC has appealed against the decision and the same is pending, he added. Tiphagne, however, expressed hope that the current chairman, Justice V Ramasubramanian, would do the needful to retain the 'A' status. Meanwhile, the SCA stated in its report that as per GANHRI statutes, a recommendation to downgrade does not take effect for a period of one year. This allows an opportunity for the NHRC to provide the documentary evidence necessary to establish its continued conformity with the Paris Principles, it added.
