TN police directed to register case

Finding prima facie evidence in a complaint lodged by a contractor, alleging that he was kidnapped for not paying bribe to an AIADMK minister, when the party was in power in Tamil Nadu, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court today directed the police to register a case against those involved.


Admitting two criminal original petitions filed by the contractor, Veilmuthupandian, Justice M Jeyapaul also directed the DSP of Tuticorin to supervise the investigation as there was prima facie case in the complaint filed by the petitioner against the minister Inbatamilan and his henchmen.


The petitioner alleged that he was kidnapped on November 20 2005, and beaten up by henchmen of the former minister for not paying 'commission' demanded by him and a panchayat chief.


They also took away Rs 4.75 lakh cash he was carrying with him and forcibly obtained his signatures on six bank cheques. He was also kept in solitary confinment for 10 days.


The government advocate, however, contended that the allegations levelled in the complaint and vide petition were found to be untrue and so the Inspector concerned had closed the case.


But the petitioner said that his 'signatures' in the report of the inspector were forged. The inspector was only interested in closing the case, he contended.


The Judge observed that the Inspector had not cross examined the petitioner before closing the case. "In a careful perusal of the complaint, it has been found that the offence has been prima facie made out. Therefore the Police should register the case and investigate,," he said. (Agencies)

Source: Chennai Online