FF Code : TN/MDU 51/JUNE/07 Victim(s) : Amutha Perpetrator(s

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/MDU 51/JUNE/07 Amutha Shobana, SI Anna Nagar PS 02/12/2007 to 05/12/2007

The victim Amutha, aged 28, resides at Therkkutheru, Melur Taluk, Madurai District and works as a maid servant in Balaiya’s house. Balaiya’s son-in-law misbehaved with her. Fearing that Amutha would reveal this matter, Balaiya lodged a false complaint stating that Amutha had stolen jewels. On 2nd December 2007, she was arrested by the Anna Nagar PI. Amutha was taken to Sellur PS where SI Shobana subjected her to verbal abuse, and beat her with a lathi. SI Shobana forced Amutha to turn towards the wall and beat her on her buttocks. Amutha was also assaulted by two other policemen. Amutha was taken to the Women PS, Tallakulam; she was not provided with food for three days. There were deep wounds in her body caused by

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

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the beatings. On 5th December 2007, she was released without filing any case. Upon her release, Amutha was admitted to the hospital. She filed a M.L.C reporting that the police had assaulted her. Sellur PO Vijayakumar went to the hospital and received Amutha’s complaint.

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TN/VEL 92/NOV/07 Anbazhagan 1) Natarajan,SI; 2)Ramesh,HC Jamanamarathur PS, Polur Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District 18/11/2007

Case Details: Victim Anbazhagan, age 25, belongs to the Hindu Palangudiyianar-Malayali caste and resides in Thombarappati village, Jamanamarathur. He served as Treasurer of the Nehru Youth Club. As requested by local villagers, Anbazhagan complained (in his capacity as Treasurer) to the Jamanamarathur Police, asking them to take action against those who sold illegal arrack in a nearby village.

Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

2007

On 18 November 2007 at around 4.00pm, since the police had taken no action for a month, Anbazhagan went to the station along with Kamalakannan, Ramesh, and other members of the Club. There, HC Ramesh told them that SI Natarajan was not in, and asked them to return in an hour.

Tamil Nadu

As Anbazhagan and his colleagues were leaving, they saw the SI, who had just awoken from a nap and who was drunk. The SI asked Anbazhagan where he was from and why he had come. Anbazhagan asked about the complaint that he had filed. The SI insulted Anbazhagan and his colleagues and told them to catch the criminals themselves. The SI warned Anbazhagan and his colleagues that they would be beaten to death if they dared come to the station again. When Anbazhagan asked the SI not to scold him, the SI grabbed his shirt and hit his neck. The HC locked Anbazhagan in the lock-up, while Kamalakannan, Suresh, and the others escaped.

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Inside the lock-up, the SI tore Anbazhagan’s shirt off. He made Anbazhagan stand half-naked in his briefs and pulled the cord around Anbazhagan’s waist forcefully, making Anbazhagan’s hip bleed. The SI broke Anbazhagan’s right hand and hit his left leg four times, telling Anbazhagan that he should never come to the station again. When Anbazhagan tried to stop the beating, the SI hit his hands and leg. The SI hit Anbazhagan in the face and chin, and dragged him by his hair. By this point, one of Anbazhagan’s toenails had fallen off and several teeth were loose. The SI beat Anbazhagan with a baton on his back and shoulders. Anbazhagan fell down. The SI kicked Anbazhagan in the face with booted feet. The SI tried to take pictures of Anbazhagan. When Anbazhagan tried to turn away, the SI beat him. The SI eventually did take Anbazhagan’s photograph, and obtained his signature on a blank paper. Kamalakannan returned to the station with Panchayat Board President Nadesan, Vice-Chairman Ramajeyam, District Councillor Vellaian, and Sekhar. They sought Anbazhagan’s release. The HC held Kamalkannan’s hands behind him while the SI hit his chin more than ten times. After his release, Anbazhagan sought treatment at the Primary Health Centre and complained to the SP.

Annual Report on Torture

The HC has stated that Anbazhagan’s charges against himself and the SI were false.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/SAL/21/FEB/07 1) Jeyakumar; 2) Rajavelu 1) Malathi,SI; 2) four unnamed PCs Saravalyam PS 16/01/2007

Case Details: Victim Jeyakumar, age 27, is friends with victim Rajavel.

2007

On 16 January 2007, Jeyakumar and Rajavel were having drinks at Jeyakumar’s house. They saw Mani, who was walking by, and called him to join them. Mani told them that he could not have drinks with them

because his uncle, Loganathan, had come. Jeyakumar said that he knew Loganathan, who was working at the EB. Loganathan, who was with Mani, called to SI Malithi, doing his rounds nearby. The SI, along with four PCs, came over and thrashed Jeyakumar and Rajavelu with batons. Jeyakumar’s mother and sister-in-law asked the police to leave them, but the officers threatened to file prostitution charges against the women. The police tried to take Jeyakumar and Rajavalu in a jeep to the police station, but Jeyakumar ran away. The police took Rajavelu to the station and tortured him.

On 20 January 2007, the police came to Jeyakumar’s house, but he was not there. On 8 February 2007, when Jeyakumar went to fill his vehicle with petrol, the police caught him and took him to the station. There, they tied his hands behind him and beat him with a baton. Later, Jeyakumar went to be treated at the hospital.

Tamil Nadu

Jeyakumar’s family members went to the station along with Loganathan but the SI refused to let Rajavalu free.

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FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/SVG 36/JULY/07 : Velankanni : 1) Unnamed PI; 2) unnamed SI; 3) unnamed POs Location : Ilayangudi PS Date of incident : 02/07/2007 Case Details:

Also in Melayur, a man named Sathiyamoorthy and a woman named Ranjini had been in love with each other for four years – despite that their parents had not consented to their relations and Ranjini’s family had married her to someone else. Sathiyamoorthy and Ranjiji, however, continued to meet regularly, and one morning they disappeared together. On 2 July 2007 at around 9.00pm, Velankanni was eating at home when two police officers arrived on a two wheeler and informed him that the PI at Ilayangudi PS wanted to see him for an enquiry. Velankanni agreed to accompany them to the station on their two-wheeler. At the station, the police took Velankanni to the Inspector’s room, where two officers insulted him and asked where he had sent Sathiyamoorthy and Ranjini. Velankanni replied that he knew nothing. Both officers began to beat Velankanni with batons on his chest, back, and ears. Velankanni could not bear the pain. He cried aloud and begged the police to set him free.

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Velankanni, age 25, resides at Melayur, Ellayankudi Taluk, Sivagangai District. He belongs to HinduParayar community and lives with his parents, wife, sister, and brother. He earns his livelihood by working in a Bricks Chamber.

2007

The police took Velankanni to another room and told him that they would stop beating him if he admitted where he had sent Sathiyamoorthy and Ranjini. Velankanni replied again that he knew nothing. The officers beat him for more than twenty-five minutes. They stamped on Velankanni’s legs until he went unconscious. Two other people at the police station, Mohan and Kalaiselvi, were witnesses to Velankanni’s treatment. Later, a female SI told Velankanni that she would file a murder case against him if he told anyone about the officers’ actions. She advised him, if he went to the hospital, to say that he had fallen. The police released Velankanni at 1.00am.

Tamil Nadu

On 3 July 2007, Velankanni could neither stand nor walk. He was spitting blood. He fell unconscious before he was admitted at Ilayangudi Government Hospital. At the Hospital, medical officer Asma Begum asked Velankanni what happened to his body. Velankanni described how he had been assaulted at the Station. Asma Begum asked Velankanni get a medical memo from the station.

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FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/TAN 39/SEPT/07 1) D. Jeeva, 2) Suyamparakasam SI Rajendran Boodhalur PS, Tanjore District 30/09/2007

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

D. Jeeva, a member of the Adhi Dravidar Pallar community, is an auto-driver. Suyamprakasam is also a car driver. Four months before the incident, Suyamprakasam borrowed Rs.2000/- from Jeeva stating that he would repay the loan in a week. After a week, Suyamprakasam returned only Rs.800. On 30 th September 2007 at about 7.30pm, Jeeva went to the Boodhalur Bus Stand and asked Suyamprakasam for the remaining amount. Suyamprakasam said he had returned all the money and said won’t pay any more. This resulted in a scuffle between Jeeva and Suyamprakasam. Suyamprakasam went to the Boodhalur PS and lodged a written complaint against Jeeva. Jeeva followed Suyamprakasam to the PS. SI Rajendran told Suyamprakasam and Jeeva to undress to their underwear and locked them in a cell for half an hour. At about 8.30pm, SI Rajendran entered the cell with a baton in his hand. SI Rajendran first hit Suyamprakasam in both his palms. He asked Suyamprakasam to stand, and then hit him on his thighs and ankles for 10 minutes. SI Rajendran then asked Jeeva to stand up. SI Rajendran hit Jeeva on both of his knees. He told Jeeva to stretch out his hands, and he hit Jeeva hard on his palms about 5 times.

Jeeva and Suyamprakasam were released at 10.30pm. SI Rajendran told both men to pay Rs.1000/. Suyamprakasam paid Rs. 400/-. Since Jeeva had no money on him, he told SI Rajendran he would return and pay the next day. Suyamparakasam is not willing to pursue this case. Jeeva requested legal action be initiated against SI Rajendran.

: TN/MDU 52/JUNE/07 : Ponnusamy : 1) Ilango, PI; 2) Selvaraj, PC; 3) Sugumaran, PC; 4) Shakthi, PC Location : Thalavai PS Date of incident : 20/04/2007 Case Details:

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

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Victim Ponnusamy, age 35, resides in Muniandipuram, Madurai. He works at a stone carving company and belongs to the Kalottar caste. On 20 April 2007 at 11.00am, the police arrived at Ponnusamy’s workplace and asked for him. They arrested him and took him in their vehicle to the Thalavai PS. At the station, Ponnusamy’s relatives Arumugam, Muthu, and Rajenderan were also present. PI Ilango and PCs Selvaraj, Sugumaran, and Shakthi interrogated Ponnusamy and then asked him to sign a blank paper. The police called Ponnusamy, Arumugam, Muthu, and Rajenderan one by one, noted their addresses, and collected their signatures. Then the police put all four men into a vehicle. In the vehicle, the PI threatened not to leave Ponnusamy alone unless he gave the police one hundred sovereigns of gold. Ponnusamy responded that he did not have any gold to give. The police brought Ponnusamy, Arumugam, Muthu, and Rajenderan to the North PS at Rajapalayam.

The four detainees were given minimal food. At night, they were beaten and not permitted to sleep. On 22 April 2007, the police took Ponnusamy, Arumugam, Muthu, and Rajenderan to a village near Rajapalayam and locked them up. The police made Ponnusamy stand facing a wall. The three PCs beat his shoulders. Ponnusamy fainted. The PCs dragged Ponnusamy into another room and splashed water on his face to wake him. The PCs similarly beat Arumugam, Muthu, and Rajenderan.

Annual Report on Torture

That night, about five policemen called Arumugam into a room, where they interrogated and beat him. Ponnusamy could hear Arumugam shouting, and when he emerged after a half-hour, Arumugam’s face was bleeding.

2007

On 24 April2007, the police took Ponnusamy to Rajapalayam, where they locked him in a lodge. The policemen rotated through guard duty. When the PI arrived for his shift, he hit Ponnusamy with a baton on his hip. The PI made Ponnusamy sit and spread his legs, and then beat Ponnusamy’s groin with a baton. Ponnusamy cried aloud. The PI demanded one hundred sovereigns of gold once again, in exchange for Ponnusamy’s freedom. The PI filed a case against Ponnusamy, alleging that Ponnusamy had pick-pocketed Rs. 100. The PI produced Ponnusamy before the Srivilliputhur Court, where Ponnusamy was remanded to the Madurai Central Prison.

Tamil Nadu

After one and a half months, Ponnusamy was released on bail.

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Ponnusamy approached People’s Watch for help.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/KK 20/JUNE/07 Abdul Rahim 1) Chakravarthy, PI 2)SI Pudhukadai PS Pudhukadai PS 19/06/2007

Case Details:

Annual Report on Torture

On 19th June 2007, the victim Abdul Rahim, aged 32 years, was taken to the Pudhukudai PS regarding a quarrel. In the PS, the SI called Abdul a rowdy and scolded him, “you Rascal, I heard that you don’t respect the police when you come across them. Instead you fold your dhoti upwards and walk like a thug. Do you think police men are fools?” He scolded Abdul with filthy words and slapped his right cheek.

2007

PI Chakravarthy said that the police will gain respect only when people like Abdul are subjected to encounter death. The PI kicked Abdul on his right thigh with his booted. Abdul begged the PI not to beat him. The PI said, ‘Thotti Payale” and told him this was punishment for speaking against the police. The PI slapped Abdul on both cheeks several times. Unable to bear the pain Abdul screamed. Then, the SI took the baton and pushed it in to Abdul’s mouth. Abdul thought he was going to suffocate. The SI thrashed Abdul all over his body. Abdul was unable to bear the pain, and fell down. The SI fastened both of his legs with the chain and locked it. The jeep driver held Abdul to the wall while the SI stood on Abdul’s legs. The PI took the baton from the SI and beat Abdul’s feet about 30 times. The victim screamed and cried unable to bear the pain. The jeep driver blocked Abdul’s mouth. Later, he was produced before the judge of Kuzhithurai Court. She remanded Abdul to judicial custody for 15 days. Accordingly, Abdul was remanded at Sub-jail in Kuzhithurai for 9 days.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/CHE 40/JUNE/07 Anandhan 1) Sini Babu, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Pulianthoppu PS 20/05/2007

Victim Anandhan resides at No. 34, 3rd Street, Pulianthoppu area, Circle-42, Chennai-12 with his wife and family. Anandhan’s elder brother’s wife quarrelled with the wife of another of Anandhan’s brothers. The former was injured in the forehead, and subsequently filed a complaint against the aggressor and her sons.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

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On 20 May 2007 at around 2.30am, Anandhan heard a noise outside his house. He rose to see SI Sini Babu holding his nephew’s wife by her hair and asking her husband’s whereabouts. Anandhan and his wife, with some neighbours, protested against the SI’s actions, noting that the woman did not know her husband’s whereabouts and had recently given birth to a baby. The SI responded by taking Anandhan and another of his nephews in a jeep to the police station, accompanied by two PCs in civilian dress. Before releasing them, the SI told Anandhan and his nephew not to tell anyone about the incident. At 7.30pm, Anandhan returned home from work. At his home, SI Jenatin and PC Vivek Mannan told him that SI Sini Babu wanted to see him at the police station, but they would not tell him why.

One PC asked Anandhan to take off his shirt and lungi. Anandhan requested to be left alone. The other PC shouted at him, saying “You son of a bitch! You won’t heed Sir’s words?” The PCs beat Anandhan hard with a lathi on his back. Unable to bear the pain, Anandhan shouted aloud. The PCs continued to beat him. Frightened by the thought that the police might even kill him, Anandhan removed his shirt and lungi as they hard earlier asked him to. Then, the two PCs jointly beat Anandhan with lathis all over his body. Anandhan shouted again with pain. The SI threatened to kill Anandhan if he kept shouting. The policemen then locked Anandhan, half-naked, up with the other prisoners. At 9.30pm, Anandhan’s wife came to the police station. Seeing her husband’s miserable state, she asked the SI why he was thus locked up. The SI replied that if she stayed there, she would end up in the same position.

Annual Report on Torture

Anandhan went to the police station. At 8.00pm, SI Sini Babu arrived and verbally abused him, saying “You son of a bitch! What did I say last night? I told you nobody should know that I was there – but you incited her to file a complaint against me.” Anandhan replied that he knew nothing about a complaint, having just returned from work. The SI responded by slapping Anandhan’s face before calling two PCs and telling them to beat Anandhan harsehly.

2007

Anandhan’s wife solicited the help of Nagarajan, President of the Rahul Gandhi Association. They secured Anandhan’s release by 10.30pm. As per the advice of Nagarajan, Anandhan checked into the Chennai Stanley Hospital and underwent treatment form 20 to 25 May 2007.

: TN/CHE 93/NOV/07 : Ananthan : 1) Manoharan, PI; 2) two unnamed PCs Location : Chennai Date of incident : 13/11/2007

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

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Case Details: Victim Ananthan is a blacksmith of the Ottar caste. On the date of the incident at 5.00am, a police PC arrived at his home and asked him to come to the police station for an enquiry. When Ananthan said that he had done nothing wrong, the PC pulled him from his home and brought him forcefully to the station. At around 6.30am, Ananthan arrived at the station and waited on the veranda for PI Manoharan to arrive. At 8.30am, the PI arrived. He told Ananthan that Ananthan’s brother-in-law had stolen Rs. 40,000 and had entrusted the money to Ananthan. The PI demanded that Ananthan return the money. Ananthan replied that he knew nothing about the matter and had not seen his brother-in-law for nearly three months. The PI responded by slapping his cheeks before beating him elsewhere on his body and telling him to remove his clothes. Ananthan did as he was told.

Annual Report on Torture

The PI told Ananthan to lie down with his chest on the ground. One PC sat on Ananthan’s back. Another told Ananthan to stretch out his hand. The PI then beat Ananthan’s hand twelve times before hitting his genitals. Ananthan quivered and cried with pain. The PI ordered him to stand up. As Ananthan was getting up, the PI kicked him in the ribs and said “Get up, you son of a bastard [thevadiya].”

2007

Ananthan had little strength and staggered up. The PI threatened to torture him to death unless he returned the stolen Rs. 40,000. Ananthan pleaded that he did not know anything about the money. The PI ordered Ananthan to stretch out his hands again, and beat his hands with a baton six times. At about 10.00am, Ananthan’s wife arrived at the police station with an advocate. Unbeknownst to Ananthan at the time, the two paid Rs. 5,000 to secure his release. The police allowed Ananthan to return home after making him sign an agreement to return to the police station whenever called for.

FF Code Victim(s)

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Perpetrator(s) Location

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TN/VEL 76/OCT/07 1) Anbalagan; 2) Radhakrishnan; 3) Panchalai Arunachalam, PI Sethupet PS, Polur Taluk, Thiruvanamalai District 26/06/2007

Victim Anbalagan, age 45, belongs to the Vanniyar caste. He resided with his wife Premavathi near Kannigapuram. Victims Radhakrishnan and Panchalai are Anbalagan’s brother and sister (respectively).

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

Anbalgan and Premavathi often quarrelled. Premavathi used to abuse Anbalagan over property disputes, with the help of her brother Vankatesan, who was a policeman in Chennai. Once, Premavathi attacked Anbalagan’s 111 mother, who was later admitted to the hospital. She then bribed the police at Sethupet PS to file a false charge against Anbalagan. On 26 June 2007, while Anbalagan, Radhakrishnan, and Panchalai were bringing their mother back from the hospital, some police officers asked them to report to the Sethupet PS.

At around 8.30pm, PI Arunachalam called Anbalagan into his room. The PI threatened that the police would kill Anbalagan if he did not sign a finance bond, meanwhile insulting Anbalagan by calling him “thevidar payanuku porandavanae [son of a bastard]” and “potta nayae [female dog].” The PI then made Anbalagan, Radhakrishnan, and Panchalai wait on the veranda.At around 9.00pm, the PI called Anbalagan back into his room, where he called him a “thevidar paiya” and asked what Anbalagan had decided. Anbalagan replied that he did not understand what the PI meant. The PI became furious. He dragged Anbalagan by the collar to the veranda, where he hit Anbalagan with a baton ten times on his right hand, left leg, and chin. The PI then punched Anbalagan in the face; he was wearing rings that cut Anbalagan’s face, which started to bleed badly. The PI then punched Anbalagan in the ear. Anbalagan became dizzy and fell down. The PI stamped on his face, thighs, legs, and back. Anbalagan cried in pain. Panchalai could not bear the sight, so she grabbed the PI’s leg and pleaded with him. The PI pulled her blouse, slapped her, and asked her if Anbalagan was the Lord Krishna. The PI then returned to beating Anbalagan. He kicked Anbalagan’s face; Anbalagan’s wisdom tooth broke and began to bleed badly. The PI then hit Anbalagan with a baton on his thighs and abdomen.

Annual Report on Torture

At 8.00pm, the three siblings reported to the station. Premavathi and Vankatesan, who were standing in the station entrance, insulted Anbalagan by calling him a “potta paiyan [feminine insult]” and “thodiar paiyan [bastard].” They all quarrelled, and Vankatesan kicked Anbalagan with a booted foot in the abdomen. Vankatesan slapped Anbalagan’s face and insulted him. Premavathi and Vankatesan then got on a bike and left.

2007

The PI also struck Radhakrishnan, who was watching nearby. The PI pulled Panchalai, who standing in the corner, and stripped off her sari. He made her stand half-naked in her blouse and skirt in front of about eight policemen for almost four hours. The PI told Panchalai that no one would question him if he raped her. Anbalagan’s tooth fell out and his ear began to bleed; he lost consciousness. He awoke again when the police poured water all over him.

Tamil Nadu

Premavathi and Venkatesan returned to the station. Premavathi spat on Anbalagan’s face. Anbalagan went unconscious again. He awoke again when the PI began to beat him again and told him to remove his clothes. The PI tore Anbalagan’s shirt and banniyan and stripped him to his underwear.

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The PI then caught Panchalai and snatched the quarter-sovereign gold coin from her thali. At about 1.30pm, the police took Anbalagan to the German St. Thomiar Hospital in Sethpat. Anbalagan refused to take treatment from that Hospital, insisting that he wanted to go to a Government Hospital. The PI dragged Anbalagan out of the hospital and into a jeep. In the jeep, the police abused Anbalagan, calling him a “thevadiar paiya.” They handcuffed Anbalagan and insulted him further before detaining him under the Goondas Act. The police then took Anbalagan to the Polur Governemnt Hospital, where they obtained a letter stating that Anbalagan was healthy. At 3.00pm, the police took Anbalagan, Radhakrishnan, and Panchalai to Judge Arulraj’s house, but the Judge was absent. The next day at 6.00pm, the police brought Anbalagan, Radhakrishnan, and Panchalai back to the Judge’s house. The Judge asked what had happened. Fearing police reprisal, Radhakrishnan gave a false statement that he and Anbalagan had scuffled. The Judge sent Anbalagan and Radhakrishnan to the Polur Sub-Jail, and Panchalai to the Women’s Jail.

Annual Report on Torture

Anbalagan asked to the taken to the Hospital, as he was bleeding all over. The PI took Anbalagan to the Government Hospital. There, Dr. Ramaligam examined Anbalagan, determined that he was severely injured, and asked to transfer him to Arumbamblaku Hospital in Vellore. The PI then handcuffed Anbalagan, called him a “thevadiyar paiya,” and told him he would die rather than be moved to Vellore.

2007

The PI proceeded to exhibit Anbalagan in public in order to humiliate him. Two PCs then took Anbalagan by bus to Vellore, where he was treated at the Adukamparai Government Hospital between 27 June and 7 July 2007. Throughout his treatment, Anbalagan was handcuffed to his hospital bed. Meanwhile, Anbalgan’s mother learned of her children’s treatment, and died of depression. On 7 July 2007, Anbalagan, Radhakrishnan, and Panchalai were granted bail. They went to Anmirthi and cremated their mother’s body.

Anbalagan can no longer hear or chew properly. His jaw hurts so much that he cannot sleep at night. His reputation has been tarnished. The police have threatened Anbalagan with reprisals if he files a complaint against them. Anbalagan has lodged a complaint against the PI, but no action has been taken.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

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Location : Date of incident :

TN/CHE 109/NOV/07 Anbu (a) Anbalagan 1) Boopalan, SI; 2) Poomalai, PC; 3) Sunny Babu; 4) George Miller, SI; 5) Kutti, PC; 6) unnamed POs from K5 Peravalluvar PS and Viyarpadi PS Chennai 04/12/2007

Tamil Nadu

The PI has denied ever torturing Anbalagan.

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Case Details: Victim Anbum, of the Adi-Dravidar caste, resides at Peravalluvar, Raja Gardens, B BLOCK, Door No. 28, Chennai-82. In 2005, Anbu’s brother-in-law, a notoriously rowdy man, struck SI George Miller with a machete. George Miller shot Anbu’s brother-in-law dead.

The police then returned to the station. PC Kutti and ten other policemen anchored Anbu’s hands to a window, held his legs, and proceeded to beat his hands, thighs, and knees repeatedly with a lathi. They also kicked him with their booted feet. Such treatment was repeated for six days. The police then remanded Anbu to Egmore Court. On 4 December 2007, when returning from Egmore Court, Anbu encountered SI George Miller. The SI put Anbu into a car and (with other policemen) pushed, kicked, and beat him. They kicked Anbu’s abdomen with their booted feet, punched him, and twisted his hands. They eventually left him at a tea shop.

Annual Report on Torture

In 2006, Anbu was arrested for theft of gold ornaments. SI Boopalan, PC Poomalai, Sunny Babu, and eight other policemen entered his house and forced his wife to show them the shop where the stolen ornaments had been mortgaged. They took the ornaments away.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/VEL 82/OCT/07 : Anbu : 1) Radhakrishnan, SI; 2) Mohan, PC; 3) two unnamed PCs Location : SIPCOT PS Date of incident : 21/09/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

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Victim Ambu is thirty-two years old. On 20 September 2007, Anbu was returning home from work when he met his friend Munisamy waiting on the road. Munisamy said that he had night duty and asked Anbu to drop him off at work. Anbu agreed. As Anbu was waiting for Munisamy at his company’s entrance, Munisamy tried to steal something and was caught. On 21 September 2007 at 9.45am, three PCs from the SIPCOT Police Station arrived, only one of whom, PC Mohan, was in uniform. They told Anbu and Munisamy to get into the company owner’s car, and took them for an enquiry. At the station, the police made Anbu and Munisamy strip to their underwear and stand on the veranda facing the wall with their hands in the air. SI Radhakrishman beat Anbu and Munisamy with a baton on their buttocks three times, asking if they would ever steal again. Other officers then beat Anbu and Munisamy, who cried in pain. The police insulted Anbu and Munisamy with such terms as “porampoku [useless]” and “thevidar pasanga [bastards],” and asked if they would ever steal again. The police hit Anbu and Munisamy five times and then made them jump, which hurt a great deal. The officers then beat Anbu and Munisamy about twenty times. Anbu asked the policemen for water and pleaded with them to stop, but the officers simply locked him and Munisamy in a room.

Annual Report on Torture

At 12.00pm, the police took money from Anbu’s and Munisamy’s pockets and bought them lunch.

2007

Later, the police handcuffed Anbu’s left hand to Munisamy’s right and took to the Government Hospital at Valaja. En route, the police instructed them to tell the doctors that they were in perfect health and suffered no pain. They did so. At 8.00pm, the police took Anbu and Munisamy to the house of a Judge of the JM Court. The Judge signed an order and sent them back. At 9.00pm, Anbu and Munisamy finished their dinner. At around 1.00am, the police took Anbu and Munisamy to the Vellore Prison for Men and registered them. The PC on duty asked what the case was about. Neither Anbu nor Munisamy answered. The PC instructed

them to speak and slapped Anbu’s cheeks. The PC then stripped Anbu and Munisamy naked and made them sit on the floor for some time before sending them to a room. In jail, Anbu could neither sit nor lie down, because his buttocks were swollen. He could not eat properly. He suffered in this manner for about twenty days, even after his release from jail.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/KK 05/JAN/07 : Anil Rueban : 1) Lawrence, PC, 2) Chelladurai, PC Location : Kuzhithurai PS Date of incident : 28/12/2006 Case Details:

Tamil Nadu

On 4 November 2007, Anbu was released from jail. Since his imprisonment had been reported in the local newspaper, his landlord evicted him and his business suffered.

115

The victim Anil Rueban aged 36 years, belonging to the Christian-Barber caste (MBC) resides at Kodiavilai, Marthandam,Kanyakumari. During the civic body elections held on 13th October 2006, Anil Rueban had a brawl with Lawrence, a PC from Kuzhithurai PS. Later on 27th December 2006, Anil Rueban got married and on 28th December 2006, on the way to buy flowers for his wife, PC Lawrence and two PCs pulled Anil Rueban by his shirt from the back and punched on him on his face with his right hand. He commented on Anil Rueban’s caste saying, ‘you son of a barber! The 3 PCs pulled Anil Rueban by his shirt and dragged him along one side of the road and took him to the Kuzhithurai PS.

On the way, Anil Rueban fell down unconscious. Anil Rueban was taken and admitted at the ARS Traditional Medicines Hospital in Marthandam. He underwent medical treatment in the Emergency care for 3 days and returned to his home on 2nd January 2007. He was then admitted in the Government Hospital at Kuzhithurai. From there he was referred to the Government Medical College Hospital at Aasaaripallam and he was admitted in the Emergency care section.

Annual Report on Torture

There, PC Lawrence abused him, by calling him a ‘bastard! Son of barber pundai (a highly offensive term in Tamil for woman’s genitals)’ and that how dare he speak against the police. He punched Anil Rueban’s chest several times. PC Chelladurai together with Lawrence pounded him brutally on his chest and on his back several times. Anil Rueban passed urine and stools instantly. PC Lawrence kicked him hard on his chest with his right leg which made Anil Rueban lose consciousness. When he regained consciousness, he realized that he was lying near the toilet inside the PS. The police told him to sign a paper on which something was written. They warned him not to tell any body about the incidence and sent him with his friend Francis.

2007

After he was subjected to the brutal attack by the police, he has been unable to breathe and sleep normally. Apart from this, he cannot enjoy the sexual life with his wife.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: : :

TN/CHE 113/NOV/07 Arul (a) Munusamy 1) Krishnamoorthy, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Perambur, Chennai 02/11/2007

Location : Date of incident :

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

116

Victim Arul is a pig salesman. On 29 October 2007, he asked his friend Subash to arrange for a vehicle for the purpose of moving several pigs. Subash did so. On 2 November 2007 at around 3.45pm, the police woke Arul. Arul’s parents were nervous, but the police assured them that they were only taking Arul to the police station to answer a few questions. At 4.00am, the police took Arul to the station, along with his friend Subash and Mohan. On the way to the station, one PC punched Arul. At the station, SI Krishnamoorthy began to beat the men with a baton. He accused Arul of stealing pigs and transporting them in a friend’s car. Arul replied that he did not steal. The SI told Arul to stretch out his hands, which he beat six times with a baton. The SI then made Arul strip naked and lie on his chest. Two PCs held Arul’s hands and legs while beating his feet and back. Arul shouted with pain. The SI then made Arul stand up before beating Arul’s back. Arul could not walk because of the pain. At 4.00pm, the police took Arul to Ambathur Court. A PC threatened to imprison him for life if he spoke about his treatment at the station.

Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

2007

: : :

Location : Date of incident :

TN/CHE 84/SEPT/07 Arumugam 1) Unnamed PI; 2) other PCs, Anna Nagar PS Chennai 21/09/2007

Case Details: Victim Arumugam resides with his wife and two children, and works as a steel polisher. Arumugam’s nephew, Jegan, was involved in murder and robbery. The police eventually caught Jegan, who signed an agreement not to steal anymore. However, in June 2007, Jegan was faced with financial difficulties and asked Arumugam to sell two stolen bangles on his behalf. Arumugam did as Jegan asked.

On 21 September 2007 at around 3.30pm, a PI and six PCs came to Arumugam’s house and dragged him into their van – where Arumugam saw his brother, Kumar, as well as Jegan’s friends Radhik and Yagini. They also searched his house, searched everywhere, and took the receipts for the bangles as well as Rs. 10,000 that Arumugam’s sister-in-law had entrusted to his wife for her children’s birthday. In their van, the police kicked Arumugam’s belly and cheeks with their booted feet, twisted his big toe, and forced him to tell them where Jegan was. Unable to bear the pain, Arumugam told the police about Jegan and the bangles.

The police brought Arumugam before the PI at the Anna Nagar PS. They asked about Jegan, to which Arumugam replied that he knew nothing. One PC slapped Arumugam’s cheek repeatedly. Then one PC kicked Arumugam’s abdomen while another bent his big toe and threatened him.

Tamil Nadu

The police dropped Kumar off near Koimbedu. When Kumar asked about Arumugam, he was kicked aside.

In another room, Radhik and Yagini were hung upside-down and beaten on their feet. All three men were kept at the police station overnight. 117 On 23 September 2007 at around 1.30pm, Radhik and Yagini brought the stolen jewels to the police station. They were remanded to Elambur (Egmore) Court.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/VEL 71/SEPT/07 : Mohammed Ashraf : 1) Alexander, PI; 2) Mathivanan,PI; 3) unnamed PCs Location : South PS, Vellore Date of incident : 29/08/2007 Case Details: Victim Mohammed Ashraf, age 22, belongs to the Mohammediar caste. He resides in Johny Poonthotam Nagar, Vellore.

At 9.30am, the shop’s proprietor filed a complaint at the South PS. PI Alexander came to the shop with four PCs in civilian clothing and interrogated the staff. At around 10.30am, the police took Mohammed Ashraf, the shop manager Suresh, and the security guards Rajesh and Nesamani to the police station. At the station, the police made all three men sit down. PI Alexander and five policemen then took Mohammed Ashraf to his house, which they searched. The police then took Mohammed Ashraf back to the station. The police took Mohammed Ashraf’s, Suresh’s, Rajesh’s, and Nesamani’s mobile phones, and made them take off their clothes.

Annual Report on Torture

On 29 August 2007, someone stole the money box and some mobile phones from the shop where the shop where Mohammed Ashraf worked.

2007

The police interrogated all three men all night long, without providing either food or water.

Tamil Nadu

The next day, the police interrogated and beat Mohammed Ashraf, Suresh, Rajesh, and Nesamani.

118

At 4.15am, PIs Alexander and Mathivanan took Mohammed Ashraf to the Inspector’s room. There, policemen encircled Mohammed Ashraf and said that they knew what had happened. The police took Mohammed Ashraf that Nesamani had told them that Mohammed Ashraf had stolen from the shop. PI Mathivanan asked Mohammed Ashraf how he had conducted the theft. Mohammed Ashraf replied that he did not know anything. The police tied Mohammed Ashraf’s hands with a rope, forced a baton between his hands, and pushed his neck back. Unable to bear the pain, Mohammed Ashraf screamed. The police told Mohammed Ashraf to sit still and hit his back about ten times. Then the police made Mohammed Ashraf sit down with his back against a wall and stretch his legs. Two policemen stood on each of Mohammed Ashraf’s legs, demanding that he admit to the theft. Mohammed Ashraf fainted. When Mohammed Ashraf awoke, he was sent to the clerk’s room. There, the police beat him, as well as Suresh, Rajesh, and Nesamani. The police threatened to publish photographs of all four men in the newspaper if they did not admit the truth. Mohammed Ashraf’s father arrived at the station. The police obtained Mohammed Ashraf’s father’s signature before letting Mohammed Ashraf leave with him. The police asked Mohammed Ashraf to return to the station later. Humiliated, Mohammed Ashraf did not go to the hospital for treatment, despite pain in his thighs, hip, and wrist.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/TIR 22/MAY/07 Azhagu Sundaram Thirupanthurai Police Tenkasi Village, Thirupanthurai, Kerala 08/04/2007

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

Azhagu Sundaram belongs to the Hindu-Pallar Scheduled Caste Community and resides in the Indra Colony, Pudhukudi, Veeravanallur, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District. In the early morning of 8th April 2007, Azhagu Sundaram was woken by his neighbour Mariappan and asked to come outside. When he came out, five policemen, without uniform, caught hold of him and carried him to a Qualis car parked near a temple. Azhagu Sundaram did not even have his shirt on. The police took him to a town named Tenkasi and kept them in a lodge where they already had four other men from the Kuzhuva Community. The police asked Azhagu if he knew the others. As he recognized them, he answered affirmatively. The police said that if he knew them, he must be hiding the jewels stolen by them. Azhagu denied knowledge of any jewels. One policeman kicked him on his hip. Then the police took all of the

men to Kerala via Sengaottai. They brought them to a PS at Thiruppanthurai near Ernakulam. The police did not provide them anything to eat until morning.

Later, the police took Azhagu and another prisoner, Perumal, to another PS. After four days, Perumal reported having chest pain and was taken back to Thiruppanthurai Station, leaving Azhagu Sundaram alone. They did not give Azhagu water to drink. After some days, Azhagu asked the police when he will be released. They told him that only the police who caught him could answer his question. One day, one of the police who caught him came down to the PS where he was kept. He asked him when he will be let free. The policeman told him he will be freed if he pays Rs. 25,000. Meanwhile, Azhagu’a wife lodged a complaint about Azhagu’s detention at the local Veeravanallur PS. The complaint was published in the newspaper. After 15 days of isolated detention, the police freed Azhagu and told him to run away. Since he had no money and did not know the route he walked all the way to Tamil Nadu begging for alms and food to eat.

Tamil Nadu

Through the whole night, the policemen beat all five of the men. One of the policemen punched Azhagu’s chest hard with his fist. The police interrogated them for two days. The only food provided was two parotas at night.

119

On 04th May 2007, he made a complaint to the SP of Tirunelveli District. The SP asked Azhagu to come to the station on 15th May 2007. He again went on, but was directed to meet the PI of Veeravanallur PS. On 16th May 2007, he met the PI who obtained a written statement from Azhagu. Later on 24th May 2007, the SubPI called Azhagu and advised him that his case involves Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and therefore it’s worth pressing for action on the Kerala police. Convinced, Azhagu decided not to press his complaint.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/VEL 74/SEPT/07 1) Babu; 2) Amutha Pitchandi, HC Baratharami PS 22/08/2007

Victim Amutha, age 24, belongs to the Hindu Jangmar Caste and resides in Pondicheri. Her uncle sexually abused her, and she gave birth to two daughters as a result. Later, Amutha Babu eloped with Babu. In May 2007, Amutha’s aunt later learnt of her location and came in search of her. Her aunt told Amutha that her uncle thought constantly about his children and wanted to meet them. Amutha thus sent the children with her aunt. When Amutha later went to pick up her children, her aunt and uncle refused to let them go. Amutha’s aunt and uncle insulted her. On 22 August 2007, Amutha’s uncle arrived at her home with two policemen. The policemen asked Amutha and Babu to get into their car, and took her to Baratharami PS.

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

At the station, five policemen with batons encircled Amutha and Babu. The policemen hit them, asked if they planned to seek out their children again, and beat them with the batons. The police grabbed Babu’s hair, punched him, and kicked him with booted feet. Babu sustained injuries to his nose, stomach, check, back, thighs, and knee. When Babu tried to stop the beatings, he injured his thumb. Unable to bear the pain, Babu cried and then fainted. Meanwhile, the police grabbed Amutha’s hair, called her a “thevidiarpaiya,” and beat her more than twenty times. Amutha was swollen all over her body.

Tamil Nadu

The police beat Amutha and Babu thus for around one hour before taking them to the All Women’s Prison. There, Amutha filed a complaint against her uncle. The police gave her a CSR copy.

120

Later, DSP Arularasu asked Amutha and Babu some questions. He asked them to write a letter of compromise. Nervous, Amutha signed the paper that was given to her. On 23 August 2007, Amutha and Babi – still in pain – went to the Government Hospital in Vellore for treatment. After their treatment, Amutha and Babu returned to Pondicheri.

FF Code : TN/VEL 75/SEPT/07 Victim(s) : Balaji Perpetrator(s) : 1) Dhanalakshmi, SI; 2) Unnamed PCs, Kannamangalam PS Location : Pilaiyar Koil, Onnupuram, Mel Nagar, Arani Taluk Date of incident : 16/09/2007

Case Details: Victim Balaji, age 22, belongs to the Vanniyar caste and resides in Mel Nagar, Arani Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District. On 16 September 2007, there was a concert at Balaji’s village. A brawl broke out.

Annual Report on Torture

The police arrived and beat Balaji and his friends.

2007

When the crowd dispersed, Balaji and his friends ran away in fear. The police caught Balaji by his shirt and tore it. Two PCs stood on either side of Balaji and held his hands while other PCs hit him with batons on his thighs. The PCs insulted Balaji, calling him a “thevadiyar,” and asked if he had caused the brawl. Unable to bear the pain, Balaji tried to stop the PCs with his hands, but they beat his hands. SI Danalakshmi, who saw Balaji trying to stop the PCs, took a baton from one PC and hit Balaji with it on his back and wrist. As the concert continued, the SI took Balaji behind the stage and beat him. Balaji’s wrist was cut, and blood oozed out. Balaji begged the SI and the PCs to leave him alone, but they refused. Balaji tried to run. The SI

and the PCs pulled at his dhoti and tore it, so that Balaji was completely naked. Balaji, humiliated, covered his genitals with his hands, pushed the police, and ran through the concert naked, watched by the entire village. The SI and the PCs followed Balaji, who ran home and put on clothes. At 11.00pm, nervous that the police would return and thrash him, Balaji hid in a field and later went to Arani.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 98/NOV/07 Balamurugan 1) Vijayakumar, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Chennai 03/11/2007

Tamil Nadu

The next morning, Balaji went to Chennai and stayed with friends for five days.

121

Case Details: Victim Balamurugan, of the Adi-Dravidar caste, resides at No.10, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road, ValasaravakkamAzhwar Thirunagar, Chennai-87. He runs a cell phone service shop, where a Sri Lankan repatriate named Jeyaraj worked as an assistant. On 1 November 2007, two youngsters approached Balamurugan, desiring to sell him a cell phone. Balamurugan responded that he did not buy cell phones. The youngsters departed, but then returned later claiming that the cell phone was lost and that he had taken it – and that they had accordingly lodged a complaint at the police station.

At the police station, Balamurugan was interrogated in the presence of SI Vijayakumar. The SI told Balamurugan that the police knew that he had purchased stolen cell phones and that he had stolen the youngsters’ cell phone. Balamurugan denied the allegations and asked that the police not falsely accuse him. The SI became furious, yelled at Balamurugan for having raised his voice, and hit Balamurugan on his nose with a baton. Balamurugan could not bear the pain, and asked why he was being beaten like a thief. The SI became angrier, and started to beat Balamurugan continuously on his head, back, thighs, and ribs. The SI also shouted at Balamurugan, saying “I will give you another half an hour! You should confess to the theft! Otherwise, you and your assistant would not be able to leave the police station with your life intact! Understand!” The police also interrogated Jayaraj and made him strip to his underwear.Later, the police asked Balamurugan and Jayaraj to sit beside each other. Balamurugan could see that Jayaraj’s body was swollen in several places.

Annual Report on Torture

On 3 November 2007 at around 6.00pm, based on the youngsters’ complaint, two policemen came to Balamurugan’s house and took him into custody. Balamurugan immediately informed his advocate, Mr. Parasuraman.

2007

At around 7.00pm, the SI called Balamurugan and asked whether he had confessed to the crime, to which Balamurugan replied that he could not confess to a crime that he had not committed. The SI responded by slapping Balamurugan on his left cheek; Balamurugan’s teeth hurt, and blood oozed from his mouth. The SI then left, saying “You should come to me and say that you agree to the allegation made against you! Otherwise I will give you special treatment tonight!” At around 7.45pm, Adv. Parasuraman arrived, accompanied by G. Mullaivanan, President of the Tamil Nadu Social Service Awareness Association. The two men spoke to the SI.

Tamil Nadu

At around 9.00pm, the police let Balamurugan and Jayaraj leave, after requiring that they sign a written agreement to return to the police station whenever asked to do so.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

122

: : :

Location : Date of incident :

TN/TIR 15/FEB/07 1) Pethammal; 2) Pazhani 1) Kannan, SI; 2) Mariappan,PC; 3) Vijayakumar, PI; 4) unnamed POs Sethur PS 03/01/2005

Case Details: Victim Pethammal, age 42, and her husband victim Palani, age 38, reside at Devipattinam Post, Sivagiri Taluk, Tirunelveli District. They work as agricultural labourers.

Annual Report on Torture

On 3 January 2005 at around 1.00am, Pethammal was asleep, wearing only her blouse and petticoat. She had left the door unlocked. Seven persons, including SI Kannan and one Paramasivan (whom Pethammal knew) pushed the door open, called for Pazhani, and searched the house with the help of a torch light. The SI insulted Pethammal with caste-related terms such as “palla thevadiya mundai” and hit her with a lathi. Pethammal told the men that Pazhani had gone to the fields to irrigate the crops. The SI asked “Doesn’t he come home even to sleep with you? If he does not sleep with you then do you have some one else who sleeps with you? Who are you sleeping with now, you prostitute?”

2007

At around 1.30am, the SI took Pethammal – still in her sleeping clothes – to the Sethur PS and handed her over to PC Mariappan. The PC detained Pethammal all night in the station, along with her fellow villagers Paramasivam, Samuthiram, Anthony, and Pandi, who had previously been arrested. The next morning, CPI Taluk Joint Secretary Palraj, the North Devandanam Branch Secretary Vanraj, and other CPI comrades came to the station. They met with PI Vijayakumar and HC Shanmugasundaram, and objected to the illegal arrests of Pethammal, Paramasivam, and Samuthiram. The PI and the HC refused to answer and directed all of them to leave the PS.

At around 8.00am, after learning of Pethammal’s arrest, Pazhani went to the station accompanied by Nattamai and others. Pazhani became very upset on seeing his wife amongst all the men in the station, clad in just a blouse and petticoat and wrapping herself with a bed sheet. Pazhani asked Pethammal to wear a sari that he had brought. The police sent Pethammal away.

Also on 4 January 2005, Pethammal sent complaints to the State Human Rights Commission (Chennai), the DGP (Chennai), and the Honourable Chief Minister (Tamil Nadu Government), with copies to the IG of Police, the Chennai District Collector (Virudhunagar District), DSP Rajapalayam, and the Inspector of Police (Sethur PS). The policemen involved threatened Pethammal and Pazhani, demanding that they withdraw these complaints, but Pethammal and Pazhani refused. On 6 January 2005 at 12.00pm, Nattamai and one Soundarraj came to the station and spoke with PI Vijayakumar. They asekd the PI to let Pazhani go, which the PI agreed to on the condition that Pazhani, Nattamai, and Soundarraj sign a paper promising to pay money.

Tamil Nadu

At 11.00pm, a policeman asked Pazhani to tell the truth about the location of a missing hunting gun. Pazhani replied that he did not know about the gun and was only an agricultural labourer. The policeman started to beat Pazhani and insulted him with terms like “koothi mahane [thieving dog]” and “palla thevadiya mahane [son of a Palla prostitute].”

123

At around 12.30pm, the police released Pazhani.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/TIR 28/JUNE/07 Palanivelsamy Shankar, SI Melappalayam PS 04/06/2007

Case Details:

On 4 June 2007 in the afternoon, Palanivelsamy went to the shop of one Kilbert to buy an egg, but the egg that Kilbert sold him was spoiled. Palanivelsamy thus questioned Kilbert. Kilbert responded by insulting Palanivelsamy as a “kilattu payale” and pushing him down. Palanivelsamy got up and went home without saying anything. At about 4.00pm, SI Shankar arrived at Palanivelsamy’s house with a PC. The SI told Palanivelsamy that Kilbert had filed a complaint against Palanivelsamy. The SI pulled Palanivelsamy from his house and stamped on him with his boots.

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Palanivelsamy, age 67, resides at Munanjipatty, Nanguenri Taluk, Tirunelveli District. He is a petition writer at the Collector’s Office.

2007

The SI took Palanivelsamy to the police station. There, he dragged Palanivelsamy into his room and demanded to know why he had smashed the goods at Kilbert’s shop. The SI then beat Palanivelsamy with an iron rod. At about 6.00pm, Palanivelsamy’s wife Joysmari came to the station, but the SI did not let her see Palanivelsamy, saying only that the police were interrogating him and would send him home soon. Joysmari believed the SI and went home.

Tamil Nadu

On 5 June 2007, the SI returned to the station, approached Palanivelsamy, and threatened to shoot him or to charge him under the Goondas Act if he did not admit to his crime.

124

The SI then filed a case against Palanivelsamy under ss. 387 and 506 IPC and remanded him before a court at Tirunelveli. There, Palanivelsamy begged the Judge to grant him urgent medical treatment. The judge ordered that Palanivelsamy be sent for treatment in the Government Hospital. Palanivelsamy obtained a bail order through a relative who was an advocate. On 9 June 2007, Joysmari filed complaints with the Honourable Chief Minister (Tamil Nadu Government, Chennai), the District Collector (Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli), and the Commissioner (Tirunelveli City, Tirunelveli). No action was taken.

FF Code Victim(s)

: TN/TIR 39/AUG/07 : Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar

Perpetrator(s) : Ramakrishnan, PI Location : Perumalpuram PS; Melapalayam PS Date of incident : 01/08/2007

Case Details: Victim Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar worked as an auto driver and a coolie.

Annual Report on Torture

In 2001, when Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar was 19 or 20 years old, he was arrested with a few others in a murder case, detained for few months, and released on bail.

2007

In 2005, the Court declared Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar innocent in the murder case. Afterwards, as a precautionary step in a bomb blast case in Coimbatore, police officials arrested a few people and monitored a few others in the Tirunelveli area. In June 2007, PI Stanley Jose arrested Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar and filed a case against him under s. 151 IPC. On 1 August 2007 at around 10.30am, PI Ramakrishnan came to Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar’s home and asks him to come to the station for an inquiry. Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar did so.

The police then transferred Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar to the Perumalpuram PS. At 12.00pm, the PI came to Perumalpuram PS and asked if Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar had prepared explosives, and where he planned to keep them. Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar replied that he had prepared no explosives. The PI became angry, called Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar a “son of a bastard,” and beat him with a lathi.

The police brought Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar to Melapalayam PS, where both he and one Basheer Mohammed were beaten again. The police filed an FIR against both men under ss. 71A and 151 of the CLA Act. At around 9.00pm, the police produced Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar and Basheer Mohammed before a Judge, who remanded them to prison for fifteen days.

Tamil Nadu

At around 4.00 pm, members of the “Jamaad Ad Committee” arrived at the station and spoke to the PI before leaving. The PI asked Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar again where he was keeping his explosives. Then the PI made Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar lie down and beat him with a wooden log on his thighs.

125

Fifteen days later, Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar was released on the condition that he check in daily at the police station. Basheer Sheik Abdul Kadar declined to take action against the PI, fearing reprisals against his family.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/VEL 46/ JUNE/07 Mr. Shankar 1) SI 2)PCs Bagayam PS Idayan sattu, Vellore 25/05/2007

The victim, Shankar, aged 24, was a friend of Aathimoolam. Aathimoolam’s mother had a tea stall in front of the Bagayam PS. The Sub PI had a grudge against Aathimoolam for refusing to take SI’s children to school. On 16th July 2006, Shankar, Aathimoolam and Mohan were having liquor. The SI took the three to the PS. The SI thrashed Aathimoolam and Mohan but left Shankar with a warning. The SI lodged a fake case stating that Aathimoolam had taken illegal liquor. Subsequently Aathimoolam lodged a complaint against the SI and mentioned Shankar’s name as witness. On 21st May 2007, Shankar was taken to the PS and kept there till 10.00pm. He was asked to come the next day. The next day the police made him stand in his underwear and thrashed him with a baton on his palms, feet and back. The Police kicked his stomach; in the same spot where he previously had undergone a surgery. The Police refused to allow him to meet his wife and mother who went to see him. He was released later that night. Shankar sustained severe injuries.

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/VEL 48/JULY/07 Mr. Velu. Sakthivel, PI Reddypalayam, Vellore. 11/06/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

126

Victim Velu, aged 37, was a relative of Manoharan. Manoharan went to Velu’s house and informed him that his daughter Sumathi was missing. Manoharan along with Velu searched for the girl and they finally lodged a complaint at Thirimi PS. The Police could not trace out anything for months. On the 4th April 2007, a laborer of a sugarcane field saw a skull, uniform and ID card while harvesting. The people crowded there. Manoharan and Velu suspected that they belonged to Sumathi. They went to PS and informed them. The next day, the police went there for investigation. The skull was sent for laboratory tests. The following day, PI Sakthivel called Velu for enquiry. The Police thrashed the victim severely with a baton and forced him to accept that he had killed the girl. Velu’s back was swollen and blood clotted in almost all his body parts. Velu was unable to walk. Velu was kept at the PS for a day and then released. After a couple of months the police went to Velu’s house and arrested him. The villagers went to the PS the next day. Velu told the villagers that he was subjected to torture and was force to blank papers under police compulsion.

: TN/MDU 15/JAN/07 : 1) Mr. Makudeeswaran 2) Siva : 1) Thangar, SI 2) Illayarasu, PI 3) Chattipati, PC Location : Chinnakaratupatty Oddanchathiram Taluk, Dindigul district Date of incident : 07/01/2007 Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

2007

Case Details: On 24th December 2006, the victim Mukudeeswaran, a 22 year-old lorry cleaner, went to the Ambilikai PS to sign pursuant to his conditional bail. Previously, Makudeeswaran and his brother Siva were arrested and remanded. The SI and other PCs in the PS refused to record Makudeeswaran’s signature unless he paid them Rs. 500 and gave them five unruled books. Makudeeswaran informed Dindigul SP by telegram, and Makudeeswaran was then permitted to put record his signature. On 31st December 2006, Makudeeswaran

went Ambilikkai PS to record his signature. The SI took Makudeeswaran to DSP Oddanchathiram and threatened him, telling him there would be dire consequences if Makudeeswaran did not withdraw his complaint about the police and state that he wrote the telegram incorrectly. Makudeeswaran refused. On 7th January 2007, Makudeeswaran and Siva went to Ambilikkai PS to record their signature. A police jeep came with some POs not in uniform. The POs identified themselves. One PO pointed a gun at Makudeeswaran and told him to get into the car. The POs took Makudeeswaran and Siva to Chatthirapatti PS. Makudeeswaran learned that the POs in the car were from Ilavarasu and Chatthirapatti PSs.

Tamil Nadu

After reaching Chatthirapatti PS, the police forced Makudeeswaran and Siva to bend over, and then beat them with their fists. The PI was furious that they filed a complaint against the police. One PC removed Makudeeswaran’s clothes and other PCs tied Makudeeswaran’s hands behind his back with his dhoti. They tied one end of the rope to the dhoti and the other end into a pulley on the roof, and lifted him into the air by his arms. Makudeeswaran was left hanging for half an hour. In the meantime, Siva was beaten with batons. 127 Then, he too was stripped and hung for an hour in the same manner as Makudeeswaran. Siva was moved to a different room and then strung-up again. The PC struck Makudeeswaran in his chest with the butt of his rifle. Makudeeswaran vomited blood. PI pulled Makudeeswaran’s big toes causing severe pain. The PI and PCs forced Siva into a sitting position on the floor and pried his legs apart until they touched the wall behind him. Two officers ground their full weight into Siva’s thighs, twisting their boots until clusters of veins protruded from below his hips. Then, the PI kicked Siva in his groin, causing him to scream in pain.

Both Siva and Mukudeeswaran sustained internal injuries, contusions and swelling in their thighs and severe pain all over the body. On 8th January 2007, Makudeeswaran and Siva were admitted to Karuppasamy Hospital. The doctors gave them injections and sent them back with the POs. On 9th January 2007, they returned to Karuppasamy Hospital. After two days, the victims were able to go to the toilet. The doctor administered 27 injections and gave them two glucose bottles. The police took Mukudeeswaran and Siva to the PS and took their thumb impression and then released them. But, while waiting for the bus, the police again arrested Makudeeswaran and Siva. The police filed a false charge against them and took Makudeeswaran and Siva to JM Court. Makudeeswaran described the torture they underwent, but the magistrate did not record anything. Instead he told them that there was a pickpocket case registered against them, told them to admit the case, and pay the fine. When the Magistrate asked for their

Annual Report on Torture

The police then forced Makudeeswaran to sit in the floor, and also stretched his legs apart until they touched the wall behind him, which took over half an hour. At 10.00pm, the POs hung Makudeeswaran by his hands, in the crucifixion position, and left him hanging until 4.30am. PI Ilavarasu threatened to force-feed alcohol Makudeeswaran and Siva alcohol and kill them unless victims confessed to a theft case.

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signature in the remand report, the victims were unable to write as a result of the torture, they used their thumbprints instead.

Tamil Nadu

The police took Makudeeswaran and Siva to the Dindigul Sub Jail at 10.00pm. The prison staff took note of all their injuries. On 10th January 2007, Makudeeswaran and Siva requested the Prison Superintendent to arrange for medical treatment. They were taken to Dindigul General Hospital. After administering an injection, they were sent back to the jail.

Annual Report on Torture

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On 11th January 2007, the police took the victims to Dindigul GH. They were sent to Rajaji GH, Madurai. Then they went to Meenakshi Mission hospital for further treatment. On 23rd January 2007, Makudeeswaran was admitted to Meenakshi Mission Hospital and received inpatient treatment until 6th February 2007. After he was released, he again vomited blood. On 7th February 2007 he was readmitted and received treatment until 16th February 2007. The victim sustained a grievous bilateral brachial plexus injury. On 9th January 2007, the victims’ mother sent telegrams to the Judicial Magistrate, SP and to DIGP Dindigul alleging that whereabouts of the victim Mukudeeswaran were unknown. On 11 th January 2007, Mukudeeswaran’s mother gave a petition to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dindigul about the torture meted out to Mukudeeswaran and about the illegal detention. Upon that petition, the Judge appointed an Advocate Commissioner for enquiry. On 19 th January 2007, the victims’ mother sent petitions to the DGP and Home Secretary. On 13th January 2007, the victims’ Advocates met the Resident Medical Officer of Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai and sought permission to have an interview with victims, but his request was refused. The Advocate filed a petition on 14th January 2007 to the Dindigul Judicial Magistrate, but he refused the petition. The Advocate sent the petition to the Dindigul Chief Judicial Magistrate. The petition was again refused. The Advocate filed a copy application for Arrest Memo and Arrest Card in both the cases on 18 th January 2007, but they were returned. The Advocates sent a complaint with the Makudeeswaran’s affidavit to the Chief Justice of Madras High Court and marked a copy to the Registrar of the High Court regarding the misbehavior of the Judicial Magistrate. On 19th January 2007, the victims’ mother sent complaints to Home Secretary and the Director General of Police. On 25th January 2007, Mukudeeswaran sent a complaint to the Home Secretary and marked copies to the Director General of Police, PI General of South Zone and the Superintendent of Police, Dindigul. On 25th January 2007, Makudeeswaran’s mother gave a petition to the Dean, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai and the Dean of Government Hospital, Dindigul to furnish the medical records. On 6th February 2007 they replied that they would give the copy only to the order of the court.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/TIR 75/OCT/07 : M. Ilango : PI, Charles Kalaimani Serinthamaram, PS Location : Serinthamaram PS, Thenkasi Taluk, Thirunelveli District. Date of incident : 01/09/2007

Victim Ilango, a resident of Thenkasi Taluk in Thirunrlveli District and member of the Hindu Pallar caste, was the Secretary of Dravida Munetra Kalagam (DMK) Party in Kadayanallur Cooperation. On 1st September 2007 Ilango’s younger brother Selvathurai took his tractor for agricultural purposes. Serintamaram police officers seized the tractor, alleging it was involved in sand mining. A PC stood with Selvathurai while the other officers searched other vehicles. Selvathurai questioned the PC for stopping his tractor when there was no sand in it. The two quarreled.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

129

The police came to Ilango’s house in search of Selvathurai. Since Selvathurai was not there, they told Ilango’s wife to tell Selvathurai to go to the PS, or he else the police will kill him when they see him next. Ilango’s wife relayed the incident to Ilango. Ilango went to the Serinthamaram PS to enquire about the incident. The police told Ilango that his brother attacked the PC and has escaped, but the police had the seized vehicle. Ilango told the police that there was no sand in the vehicle. Ilango told the police that if they take action on the complaint, he will make a complaint against them. He then left the PS.

The PI asked the PCs to bring two tractors from Ilango’s house. The PI sent back one, and emptied 1 1/2 sacks of sand into the other tractor. The PI said this confirmed that Ilango was involved in sand mining. The police accused Ilango of beating a police officer and demanded the details of the people that worked for him. Ilango refused to answer. The PI then thrashed Ilango’s back four to five times with a baton. The PI put Ilango in handcuffs and took him to a jeep. The police refused to tell Ilango where he was going. The police stopped the jeep north of Athiuthu village, and another police car parked opposite to it. Inside that car was Alangulam PI Sagaya Jose. Ilango

Annual Report on Torture

At around 9.00pm that evening, four PCs came to Ilango’s home and said that the PI wanted to meet him. Ilango went with them. The PCs took Ilango to the Serinthamaram PS. There, the police made Ilango sit in the PI’s room. The PI yelled at Ilango and verbally abused him by caste (Palle Paya) for questioning the actions of the police earlier that day. The PI hit Ilango’s thighs. Ilango asked him why he was being beaten when he did nothing wrong. Ilango said his vehicle was not carrying any sand. Ilango told them to file a case and he would face that in court. The PI told Ilango to be silent. The PI held his gun at Ilango’s forehead and threatened to kill him if he talked.

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was placed into the other vehicle. When Ilango tried asking questions, PI Sagaya Jose told him to be quiet or they would kill him and frame it as an attempted escape.

Tamil Nadu

At the Alangulam PS, Ilango was taken to the PIs room. The police deprived Ilango from sleeping that night. At 10.00am the next morning, Ilango was taken in handcuffs to a jeep, and taken to the Thenkasi Court. Two PCs from Serinthamaram PS brought the First Information Report (FIR). They produced Ilango at the Court and then left. The Court ordered Ilango detained for 14 days. He was kept at Thenkasi jail and later was released on bail.

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FF Code : TN/VEL 91/NOV/07 Victim(s) : Maheshwari Perpetrator(s) : 1) Kirubakaran, SI; 2) Chennaian, SI; 3) Gandeepan, HC; 4) Rani, SI Location : Vaniambadi PS, Vaniambadi Taluk,Vellore District Date of incident : 23/11/2007 Case Details: Victim Maheshwari, age 27, resides at Indranagar, Perumalpettai, Vaniambadi Taluk, Vellore District. She belongs to the Vanniyar caste. Her legs were affected by polio and she could not walk quickly. She sold arrack for a living, and in so doing she had to bribe the police.

Annual Report on Torture

On 23 November 2007, a man passing by Maheshwari’s house dropped a bag of arrack pockets. SI Kirubakaran, SI Chennaian, and HC Gandeepan were in a police jeep behind the man. The policemen moved the bag in front of Maheshwari’s house. SI Kirubakaran asked Maheshwari who had brought the arrack and insulted her with terms such as “dhowdiangalae, narakoodhingalaewe.” The HC and another man scolded Maheshwari. The police questioned Maheshwari and her family. Maheshwari became angry, shouted at them, and asked the police not to disturb her. SI Kirubaragan became angry. He jabbed Maheshwari’s jaw with a torch and kicked her in the ribs with his booted foot. Maheshwari fell down on the steps. Holding Maheshwari’s hair, SI Kirubaragan banged her head on the steel door of the house. The SI hit her head with a torch light.

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Maheshwari’s relatives cried and begged the SI to stop. The SI kicked them. The SI tore Maheshwari’s nightie and hit her chin twice. When Maheshwari tried to get up slowly, the SI banged her head again on the door. Maheshwari grabbed at the SI’s shirt. The SI hit Maheshwari with a stick, asking her how she dared to hold his shirt. The SI hit Maheshwari’s back. SI Chennaian hit Maheshwari and pulled at her nightie so that Maheshwari was wearing only her jacket and in-skirt. The policemen beat Maheshwari further. Maheshwari’s youngest son approached her, crying. The police kicked him.

The skin on Maheshwari’s left wrist had peeled away, and she had wounds above her left knee, on her right leg, and on her chest, as well as pain in her hip. Maheshwari could neither stand nor sit. The policemen told Maheshwari to get into their jeep. Maheshwari refused. SI Kirubakaran and the HC carried her by her hands and legs. Maheshwari shouted, so the police stuffed her torn nightie into her mouth. Maheshwari could not breathe. When Maheshwari was in the jeep, the police threw her possessions out of her house and broke them. They set fire to the hut in front of her house. They took her jewels and her thali, as well as Rs. 61,350 in cash.

Maheshwari shouted again, so the police stuffed small pieces of cloth into her mouth. They took her to the Vanaimbadi PS. Maheshwari’s relatives and around fifty villagers followed; they informed the DSP and the SP of Maheshwari’s treatment.

Tamil Nadu

The villagers witnessed the police officers’ actions and did nothing.

In the jeep, SI Thangavel asked Maheshwari what had happened. Maheshwari explained the incident in detail. 131 SI Chennaian beat Maheshwari again on her jaw, asking how she dared to talk so much. SI Kirubarakaran told Maheshwari to keep her mouth shut. SI Kirubarakaran caught Maheshwari’s hair, bent her down, and pressed her hair under the jeep tyre; then he kicked Maheshwari in her ribs. At the station, DSP Tamilselvi arrived and consoled Maheshwari, asking what had happened. Maheshwari explained the incident in detail, still half-naked. The police called Maheshwari inside to write a statement, but Maheshwari could not walk. The police brought paper to her, and she wrote down everything that had happened. SI Arivuselvan talked to Maheshwari and promised to take action the next day. Maheshwari trusted him and then she covered self with a dhuppatta. Maheshwari asked the DSP to take her to the hospital as her pain was severe. SI Rani and 3 female PCs took Maheshwari in an auto, saying that they were going to the hospital.

The police took Maheshwari to the Vaniambadi PS. There, DSP Tamilselvi, SI Rani and ten female PCs were present. Maheshwari’s face, hands, legs, and hip were swollen. Maheshwari was not given food or water. Maheshwari could not walk. The next day at 6.00am, DSP Sureshkumar and Maheshwari’s Village Chairman Devaraj came to the station to negotiate. Devaraj consoled Maheshwari. The DSP said that he would replace Maheshwari’s property if she did not make any problems for the police. Maheshwari accepted. SI Suresh Kumar asked Maheshwari to walk. Maheshwari said that since she was in pain, she could not. The DSP said that Maheshwari was acting. Maheshwari replied that she had no reason to act. Devaraj and

Annual Report on Torture

Shortly, Maheshwari realised that the auto was not going to the hospital. When the auto passed near the OM Shakthi Temple, Maheshwari shouted to stop the vehicle. The SI and the PCs asked Maheshwari how she dared to tell them to go to the hospital. They pulled all of Maheshwari’s cothes off. Maheshwari tried to cover herself with her torn nightie.

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the DSP said that Maheshwari would be taken to the hospital, where she should tell the doctors that she had fallen. SI Rani and female PCs took Maheshwari to the Government Hospital. There, Maheshwari told the doctors that she had fallen, and was given a shot. Maheshwari’s husband asked the police to take Maheshwari to a private hospital. The police refused. They filed a case against Maheshwari and remanded her.

Tamil Nadu

At 12.00pm, the police took Maheshwari to the Thiruppatthur JM Court. Maheshwari’s brother was with her. The Magistrate asked the police how Maheshwari had been hurt. The police said that Maheshwari was handicapped and that she had fallen. Maheshwari told the magistrate that she had not fallen, but rather that the police had broken her hip. The Magistrate recorded what Maheshwari said and sent her to the hospital. Maheshwari’s brother carried her to the police vehicle while the PI talked with the Magistrate. The Magistrate did not ask the PI who had beaten Maheshwari. Maheshwari told him that SI Kirubakaran, SI Chennaian, and HC Gandeeappan had beaten her, but she did not know whether the Magistrate recorded what she said.

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The police took Maheshwari to the Vellore Jail. On seeing her condition, the Jail officers refused to admit Maheshwari and asked the police to take her to the hospital. Female SI Natrampalli and female PC Rajendran escorted Maheshwari. The Jail police gave Maheshwari a tablet and tea. After correcting a mistake in her warrant, the police sent Maheshwari to jail. There, the jail doctor noted all of Maheshwari’s injuries and asked who had hurt her. Maheshwari told the doctor everything, and he noted it down. At around 9.30, the SI and the PC took Maheshwari to the Adukkambarai Government Hospital on the advice of the jail doctor. There, Maheshwari showed her injuries to Dr. Manikandan and told the doctor the names of those who had beaten her; the Doctor noted everything. Maheshwari was put in a treatment bed and given an IV drip. X-rays were taken. For two days, Maheshwari could not sit up, and needed help to reach the toilets. Her hip bone had been fractured.

Annual Report on Torture

After one week, Maheshwari left the Hospital.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

TN/TIR 44/SEPT/07 R. Murugesan SI, Sivan, Puliyangudi PS Puliyangudi PS, Sivagiri Taluk, Thirunelveli Date of incident : 17/08/2007

The victim Murugesan was a farmer residing in Sivagiri taluk, Tirunelveli district, and belonging to the Hindu Pallar Community. There is a Mariyamman temple in his village where a feast is celebrated every year. The administrator of this temple, Chandran, who takes the responsibility of conducting the programmes in the temple feast belongs to the Thevar Community. On 17th August 2007, the celebrations began in the afternoon. Murugesan went to the festival with his wife and daughter.

Tamil Nadu

Case details:

133

Chandran, the administrator instructed the dancers not to sing any cinema song or songs pertaining to social leaders. One of Chandran’s relative asked the dancers to sing a song on Muthuramalinga Thevar, and the dancers obliged. Murugesan informed Chandran. Chandran retorted that the function was organized by them, so there is no wrong in singing about Muthuramalinaga Thevar. A quarrel arose. Chandran complained to SI Sivan, stating that Murugesan was drunk and creating a problem. SI Sivan slapped Murugesan’s cheeks. The SI beat Murugesan’s thighs using the lathi and commanded Murugesan to get into the jeep. The police took Murugesan in the jeep to Puliyangudi PS, and made Murugesan sit in a room. Murugesan sat there for one hour. The SI asked Murugesan whether he had drunk, and he denied the allegation.

In the morning, SI Sivan asked why Murugesan had created problem in the festival. Murugesan replied that he never thought of creating a problem. The SI slapped Murugesan for repeating the same words. The SI ordered Murugesan to go back to his village and threatened to imprison his whole family if he made a further appeal to anybody.

Annual Report on Torture

The SI threatened to kill Murugesan, and asked why he created a problem. The SI beat Murugesan’s thighs and knee with the lathi. He made Murugesan lie down on the bench and beat him on both feet saying that he was trying to create caste disputes. Murugesan shouted in pain. But the SI threatened to kill Murugesan if he shouted. Murugesan asked the SI what mistake he had committed. But the SI told him not to talk and called him the son of a Thevadiya (Bastard). After that the SI swore at Murugesan and forced him to stand in the corner. The SI threatened to file a case on him and send to the court.

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FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

TN/VEL 90/NOV/07 Panneer Selvam Pandiyarajan, PI Nagar PS, Kudiyatham, Vellore District Date of incident : 10/09/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

134

Victim Panneer Selvam, age 22, resides at Dhanam Nagar, Kudiyatham Taluk, Vellore District. He belongs to the Vanniyar caste. On 10 September 2007, Panneer Selvam went to meet his friend Suresh at Suresh’s house on Pachaiyamman Temple Street, in the Thalayatham area. Panneer Selvam waited outside Suresh house in an auto. Panneer Selvam’s brother’s ex-wife Uma saw him, spat on the ground, and left. Uma’s nine month-old daughter came and stood near Panneer Selvam. Uma came running, pulled the girl away, and called Panneer Selvam a “bastard.” Panneer Selvam retorted. Uma went to the Town PS and lodged a complaint against Paneer Selvam. At 8.15pm, an HC took Panneer Selvam to the police station. There, a PI slapped Panneer Selvam’s cheeks four times harshly. Panneer Selvam asked why he was being beaten, and the PI responded by calling him a “son of a bastard.” The PI asked why Panneer Selvam and his brother could not leave Uma alone. The PI told Panneer Selvam to remove his shirt and pants. When Panneer Selvam hesitated, the PI beat him with a wooden log on his shoulder. Panneer Selvam cried and asked why he was being beaten when he had done nothing wrong. The PI made Panneer Selvam grab the bars of a window, and then beat Panneer Selvam with the log on his back, buttocks, and thighs. Panneer Selvam shouted in pain and called his mother’s name. The PI asked Panneer Selvam if he would ever tease a woman again and beat Panneer Selvam once more on the back. Unable to continue holding the bars, Panneer Selvam brought his hand to his face. The PI beat Panneer Selvam with his belt. Panneer Selvam sat down in pain. The PI caught Panneer Selvam’s hair, lifted him up, and slapped him twice on his cheeks. Such treatment lasted around half an hour.

Annual Report on Torture

The police took Rs. 600 from Panneer Selvam’s shirt pocket, as well as his new belt. The next day at around 9.30am, an HC filed an FIR against Panneer Selvam and made him sign it. At around 10.00am, the police put Panneer Selvam into a jeep and produced him at the Kudiyatham JM Court. The police had threatened Panneer Selvam not to disclose the fact that he had been tortured. On 11 September 2007, Panneer Selvam was detained at the Kudiyatham Sub-Jail. He was not given any medical treatment.

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After 4 days, Panneer Selvam was released on bail with the help of the advocate Raviraman.

SI Ramamoorthy has stated that Uma filed a complaint alleging that Panneer Selvam had pulled her blouse and the pallu of her saree. Since this complaint concerned the protection of women, the SI has stated that he immediately filed the FIR. The complaint has been read once before the DSP.

: : : : :

TN/TIR 83/NOV/07 Rajamuthu Vairavan Vijayakumar, SI Town PS, Thirunelveli Taluk 23/10/2007

Case details: Victim Rajamuthu Vairavan, age 38, resides at Therkutheru in Tirunelveli Town. He owns a hotel in front of the Town Nellaiappar Temple.

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

135

On 23 October 2007 at 9.30pm, Rajamuthu Vairavan locked his hotel and was returning to his house in his vehicle. The Town Police were engaged in checking the vehicles. Because Rajamuthu Vairavan had his driving license and vehicle book, he was confident. When a police officer asked him for his papers, Rajamuthu Vairavan showed him everything. The officer asked Rajamuthu Vairavan where he was coming; Rajamuthu Vairavan answered completely. The officer stated that Rajamuthu Vairavan was drunk while driving, and asked him for Rs. 500. Rajamuthu Vairavan responded that he had his license and vehicle book, so there was no reason for him to pay the money. The officer demanded money again. Rajamuthu Vairavan refused, and the officer caught him by the shirt. Rajamuthu Vairavan pushed the officer away and drove away. The police followed Rajamuthu Vairavan and caught him. They took Rajamuthu Vairavan to the Town PS, where they filed a case against him for obstructing the police. Then the police demanded his signature on a blank piece of paper.

At 10.30pm, the SI beat Rajamuthu Vairavan’s palm severely before slapping his left cheek and thighs. Rajamuthu Vairavan developed swelling and blood clots, and could not walk properly. The next day, Rajamuthu Vairavan’s family members learned that he was detained; Rajamuthu Vairavan’s father came to the station. The next morning at 10.30am, the police brought Rajamuthu Vairavan to the Court. On 25 October 2007, Rajamuthu Vairavan was released on bail. He checked into the Medical College Campus and received treatment. There, he stated that he had been attacked by police officers.

Annual Report on Torture

At 10.00pm, SI Vijayakumar took Rajamuthu Vairavan into a separate room.

2007

Two PCs came to the hospital; the SI came later. The SI told Rajamuthu Vairavan that he had slapped him for speaking harshly to the Traffic Police. Rajamuthu Vairavan forgave the SI and signed a statement promising not to take legal action against the SI. The SI has refused to say anything about this case, saying that Rajamuthu Vairavan’s case was terminated after the Traffic Police finished checking vehicles at the check stop.

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/TIR 78/NOV/07 : Suresh Peter : 1) Selvaraj Sivagiri, SI; 2) Palpandi, PI; 3) unnamed PCs Location : Sivagiri PS, Thirunelveli Taluk Date of incident : 02/11/2007

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Case Details: Victim Suresh Peter resides in Sivagiri Taluk, Tirunelveli District. He belongs to the Christian Parayar community and runs a tailor shop. Suresh Peter’s cousin Raja took a screwdriver from Suresh Peter’s shop and used it to break into one Selvakumar’s house. On 2 November 2007 at around 12.30pm, Suresh Peter was in his shop when a PI called him outside for an enquiry. Suresh Peter asked the reason for the enquiry. The PI pulled Suresh Peter into a police vehicle and demanded to know whether Suresh Peter had planned on coming only if a reason was provided. The PI drove Suresh Peter to the Sivagiri PS.

Annual Report on Torture

At around 9.30pm, the PI asked Suresh Peter for his name, job, and family details. Suresh Peter replied to all that he was asked. The PI sent Suresh Peter out to sit on the veranda.

2007

At around 11.30pm, SI Selvaraj brought Suresh Peter inside the Inspector’s room. The SI hit Suresh Peter’s cheek and asked where the earrings were that he had stolen from Selvakumar’s house. Suresh Peter replied that he had stolen nothing. The SI picked up a wooden log, beat Suresh Peter’s wrist, and threatened to beat Suresh Peter to death. Suresh Peter shouted, unable to bear the pain. The SI summoned all the police who were then on duty and asked Suresh Peter to sit and to stretch out both of his legs. PI Palpandi told the SI to grab Suresh Peter and told three PCs to stand on Suresh Peter’s legs. The PI picked up a baton and beat Suresh Peter’s feet, demanding that he tell the truth. The PI said that Suresh Peter’s hand impression had been taken and that the PI would broker a compromise if Suresh Peter admitted to the theft. Suresh Peter wept and told the police that he had never been to Selvakumar’s house and that he was telling the truth. The PI told Suresh Peter not to lie, and said that he knew how to make Suresh Peter tell the truth. The SI took a baton and beat Suresh Peter all over his body, including his shins, elbows, and fingers. The SI

demanded that Suresh Peter tell the truth. He made Suresh Peter stretch his fingers on the table while beating them. The PCs began to hit Suresh Peter’s cheeks. Such treatment continued until 3.00am. Afterwards, Suresh Peter could not stand up because he was in so much pain. Unable to contemplate more torture, Suresh Peter told the police that Raja had committed the theft. The SI told Suresh Peter that he should have told the truth at the beginning, and instructed him to go sit on the veranda. The SI left; Suresh Peter stayed in the room. Suresh Peter tried to sleep but could not because of the pain.

That afternoon, one PC brought food to Suresh Peter and Raja. Raja told Suresh Peter that he would include Suresh Peter’s name in his confession, because Suresh Peter had told the police about Raja. At around 9.00pm, the SI took Raja inside his room and interrogated him. Suresh Peter heard the sound of beating and Raja shouting. As Raja had warned Suresh Peter, he told the SI that Suresh Peter had committed the theft with him. The SI ordered that Suresh Peter be brought into the room. A PC approached Suresh Peter, called him a “thirutto rascal [an abusive term for a thief],” and unchained him.

Tamil Nadu

On 3 November 2007 at 9.00am, the SI brought Raja to the station. The police tied him to Suresh Peter with a chain.

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In the room, the SI grabbed Suresh Peter’s hair, called him “the son of a thief,” accused him of lying to the police, and slapped his cheek. Suresh Peter said that Raja had falsely included him because he was angry that Suresh Peter had told the police about him. The SI told Suresh Peter not to tell lies, and the instructed Suresh Peter and Raja to return the earrings and Rs. 10,000 that they had allegedly stolen. The SI chained Suresh Peter and Raja together again. At around 12.00am, officers from Kadayanallur PS came and took photographs of both Suresh Peter and Raja. On 4 November 2007 in the morning, the police called Selvakumar to the station and asked him to think hard and to say whether only earrings were missing or whether money was also missing. Selvakumar relied that money was also missing.

At around 9.00pm, Suresh Peter’s father and a person from Raja’s house came to the station together and gave Rs. 5,000 each to PI Palpandi. Suresh Peter and Raja spent the night chained together. On 5 November 2007 at around 11.30am, Suresh Peter and Raja’s photographs were taken. Suresh Peter was unchained and called to the Clerk’s room. There, both his hand impressions were taken and the police made him sign a blank paper as well as a book. Suresh Peter left the room, and Raja went inside. At 9.00pm, the police took Suresh Peter and Raja to the Magistrate’s house. On the way, the police threatened Suresh Peter and Raja that if they said anything to the Magistrate other than admitting to the theft,

Annual Report on Torture

The SI told Suresh Peter and Raja that he would leave them only if they each gave him Rs. 5,000; otherwise, they would be incarcerated.

2007

the police would shoot them and pretend that they had tried to escape. The police also threatened Suresh Peter and Raja with incarceration at a bigger prison in Palayamkottai, Vellore, or Madurai. At the Magistrate’s house, the Magistrate ordered that Suresh Peter and Raja be kept in custody for fourteen days. The police took Suresh Peter and Raja to a doctor, again threatening them to keep quiet. Suresh Peter, unable to bend his fingers, asked the police to request that the doctor give him an injection. The police responded that Suresh Peter should keep quiet or he would be killed. The doctor stated that there was nothing wrong with Suresh Peter or Raja. Tamil Nadu

The police brought Suresh Peter and Raja to jail.

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On 23 November 2007, Suresh Peter was released on bail. Later, Suresh Peter learned that the police had kept his money, and had filed a case against Suresh Peter and Raja accusing them of having stolen the money from Selvakumar’s house. Ashamed, Suresh Peter considered suicide. He has since experienced family troubles.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/TIR 79/NOV/07 : Annadurai : 1) Aadivel, SI 2) Jeya Subramani, PI Location : Shenkottah PS, Thirunelveli District Date of incident : 03/11/2007 Case Details:

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Annadurai was 22 years old and residing in Shenkottah Taluk, Tirunelveli District. On 3rd November 2007, the SI of Shenkottah PS asked Annadurai to come for an inquiry to the station. Annadurai’s father asked the SI for the reason. The SI replied that he would inquire Annadurai and send him. The police took Annadurai to the station and shut him up in the prisoner’s cell at the station.

2007

At 7.00pm, SI Aadivel inquired Annadurai about his name, family and the work he did. Annadurai answered him for the same. The SI asked Annadurai where he had hidden the ganja. When Annadurai replied that he did not know anything about ganja, the SI commanded Annadurai to sit down using abusive words (Rascal). Annadurai did accordingly. He forced Annadurai to stretch his legs and beat continuously on his feet using a lathi, and asked where he had hidden the ganja. In pain Annadurai begged the SI not to beat him. Again the SI beat below his knee using the lathi. For fifteen minutes he was beating Annadurai continuously. Annadurai squirmed in pain unable to bend his feet. And Annadurai laid himself down because he couldn’t remain standing having received beatings on his feet.

The next day, at 9.00am the PI Jeya Subramani called Annadurai to his room and slapped him on his cheeks for not telling the truth and used abusive words (Rascal). Further he took a photograph of Annadurai and threatened to file a case on him.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: TN/TIR 66/OCT/07 : Mr. Balasubramanian : Shanmugam, SI : Poolangulam Post, Pavur Chatriam Via, Thenkasi Taluk,Thirunelveli District Date of incident : 13/10/2007

Tamil Nadu

The SI commanded the HC to get Annadurai’s finger prints, and his signature in a blank paper and surrender him by filing an FIR, and went off. As he commanded, the PC got Annadurai’s signature as well as his finger prints, and produced him before the Judge at his house. Judge gave orders to put him under judicial custody, and likewise they shut him up in Tenkasi Sub Jail.

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Case Details: Victim Balasubramanian, of No. 7/212 in Nadhutheru, worked for three days at a rice mill in Pavur Chatriam. Because of heavy rain, he stopped working there and sought work as an agricultural coolie instead. He did not know that, after he left the mill, the mill owner notified the police that someone had stolen some iron from the premises. On 13 October 2007, a police jeep stopped in front of Balasubramanian’s house. When Balasubramanian went outside to ask what the police wanted, SI Shanmugam replied “Ejamaan [landlord], just come when I tell you to.” The SI then got out of the jeep, slapped Balasubramanian, and asked him how he dared to question the police.

When the SI returned later in the day, he called Balasubramanian into his office and demanded that he provide his details. Balasubramanian responded fully. The SI then asked Balasubramanian how long he had worked in the rice mill, and why he was no longer working there. Balasubramanian replied that he had worked there for three days, but had left because of the heavy rain. The SI responded by verbally abusing Balasubramanian using the word “thaayoli [bastard],” and told him that he had stolen iron from the rice mill. The SI yelled at Balasubramanian to tell the truth. Balasubramanian replied that he had no need to steal. The SI then called him a rascal, and demanded that he answer the questions asked of him. Balasubramanian said nothing. The SI then told Balasubramanian to sit in a chair and stretch out his legs. The SI beat Balasubramanian on his feet. Balasubramanian screamed because he could not bear the pain. The SI told Balasubramanian that the police had received a complaint from the mill owner, and that

Annual Report on Torture

Balasubramanian asked the SI why he had beaten him; the SI responded by taking Balasubramanian through the streets and slapping him. Eventually, the SI took him to the Pavur Chatriam Police Station and left him with a PC. The SI told the PC to make Balasubramanian sit on the veranda until the SI returned.

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Balasubramanian would not be free until he told the truth. The SI also threatened to kill Balasubramanian, who replied that he could not admit to a crime that he had not committed. The SI asked Head PC Sankarapandian to file a case on Balasubramanian. The HC took Balasubramanian to his office to collect his fingerprints and signature. He filed a case on Balasubramanian, before he and the SI took Balasubramanian to the Court at Thankasi. On the way, the SI threatened Balasubramanian with false accusations if he told the judge that the SI had beaten him.

Tamil Nadu

When they reached the Court, the judge asked Balasubramanian if he had any complaint. Balasubramanian replied that he had none. The judge ordered Balasubramanian detained for fourteen days; Balasubramanian was released on bail after seven days.

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FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/TIR 48/SEPT/07 Basheer Mohammed Ramakrishnan, PI Melapalayam PS, Thirunelveli District 01/08/2007

Case Details: Basheer Mohammed resides in Melapalayam, Tirunelveli. He was taken for a murder case that happened four years back. Having got bail after a period of two months, he came out of Palayamkottai Central Jail.

Annual Report on Torture

On 1st August 2007, Basheer Mohammed was getting ready to go for work, when Melapalayam PI Ramakrishnan went and asked Basheer Mohammed to come with him for inquiry. In fear, Basheer Mohammed asked why he should come having done no mistake. The PI abused Basheer Mohammed as son of a bastard (Thevadiya), and asked him whether he would come only if the reason was said to him. The PI slapped on Basheer Mohammed’s cheeks, and pulled his shirt taking him to the jeep.

2007

The police took Basheer Mohammed to Melapalayam PS. Basheer Mohammed was made to sit in a room till evening. At 7.00pm, Basheer Mohammed was called to the PI’s room. There, the PI told Basheer Mohammed that they believed he was assisting terrorists in Melapalayam area, and asked Basheer Mohammed to tell them the names of those terrorists. Basheer Mohammed told the PI about his previous arrest in a murder case and also added that he was he was working in a butcher’s shop without doing any mistake. When Basheer Mohammed said that, the PI beat on his thighs with the lathi. PCs held his hands and head tightly. The PI beat on Basheer Mohammed’s neck forcing him to tell the contacts. PI used abusive words (Son of a Bastard (Tayoli)). Basheer Mohammed cried of pain. PI ordered Basheer Mohammed not to shout and stand up. PI slapped on his cheeks and said that as long as he was in this region, he won’t leave Basheer Mohammed without doing something to him and said that he would link Basheer Mohammed with a murder case and imprison life long.

Basheer Mohammed replied he had no contacts with anybody, and said what he told was the truth. PI made Basheer Mohammed sit in his room and went off. It was around 8.00am, Basheer Mohammed’s father Syed Mohammed came to the PS. The clerk told him that a case was filed on him and advised his father to get bail from the court. Immediately Basheer Mohammed’s father went off.

Basheer Mohammed was afraid to take any action against the PI as the police might file him under a false case.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: : :

Location : Date of incident :

TN/TIR 70/OCT/07 Edwin 1) Mariaajesu Anthony, SI 2) Annalakshmi Woman SI 3) Subbaiah, PC 4) Mutthuselvam 5) SPCID Basheer 6) SPCID Kandhasamy Nadutheru, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli 27/07/2007

Tamil Nadu

PI Ramakrishnan came at 09.30am, and commanded the police to file a case on Basheer Mohammed and to produce him before the court. It was around 10.00am, the PI got Basheer Mohammed signed and filed him u/s 588/07, 151, 71(A) CIA and produced before the court. After reaching there only Basheer Mohammed knew that another case was filed along with him in this case. By court order Basheer Mohammed was shut up in Palay Central Jail and came out the next day on bail.

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Case Details:

They asked him to come to the station and Edvin immediately asked them for the reason. The SI replied to him that he was not a big shot. Immediately SI Annalakshmi ordered the POs to drag him to the station. When Edwin tried to put on his shirt, PC Mutthuselvam snatched away the shirt and took away the money that was in the shirt pocket. They got him into the police jeep and made sit between the seats. Already, Aliyar and Ruban from Moolaikaraipatti, Sundarajan from Ramakrishnapuram, Murugan, and Murugan, from Kariaandi were there in the jeep. At the Moolaikaraipatti PS, Nayinar from Edumbal village was handcuffed and fastened with chain. At 4.00 am, PI of Nanguneri PS, Mutthuraj and Maria Jesu Anthony, PI of Moolaikaraipatti PS came and asked Edwin to tell the truth. Edvin asked for the purpose he was brought to the station. At once, PC Subbaiah, Mutthuselvam, SPCID Basheer started beating Edwin alternately on back, buttocks and foot.

Annual Report on Torture

Edwin was residing at Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli District. On 27th July 2007 at 3.00am, Edvin was asleep with his family members. Edwin heard a voice shouting that was denoting his caste as dogs. SI Mariaajesu Anthony, Woman SI Annalakshmi, PC Mutthuselvam, Subbaiah, SPCID-Bashheeer, SPCID-Kandhasamy and 3 persons were standing outside holding batons and pistols.

2007

Edwin writhed and howled in pain. They made Edwin to bend down and beat him, and then made him stand upright and beat him more.

Tamil Nadu

They shouted at Edwin using the word bastard, Pundai magane and added that 2 of them who had come with him have told the truth. Edwin told that he knows nothing. A PC enquired Edwin whether he knew about the incident that happened at the house of Azhagu on Tuesday. Edwin replied that he was at his brother’s house in Madurai at that time. The SI asked Edvin whether he would accept whether the others that were brought in would confirm that. Then, they brought Nayinar and Ruban in front of Edwin and the PI asked Nayinar whether Edwin went to Azhagu’s house. Nayinar and Ruban told that Edwin was with them.

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The police beat Edwin with intervals more than 5 times. At 11.00am people belonging to their village; Panchayat President Ponnaiah Nadar, Councilor and some other came to see them at Moolaikaraipatti PS. But, the police did not give them permission to meet Edvin and told them that Edvin would be sent back after enquiry. Then, at 1.00pm SI Annalakshmi brought the daughter of Azhagu in front of them and asked her who was to her house. That girl child pointed to Nayinar alone. Then she was taken back. The Police forced Edvin to sign in papers without knowing its contents. At 10.00pm, the police took all of them to the Nanguneri Court campus to produce before the Magistrate. But, the Magistrate asked them to come the next day. The next morning Edwin and the others were taken to Nanguneri Judge. On the way, the police threatened the victims not to tell anything to the Judge or else they would be shot to dead, and the police would say they tried to escape. Even though they had injuries they did not inform the judge due to fear. They were all remanded to the Palayamkottai Central jail.

Annual Report on Torture

The first hearing of their case was on 10th August 2007. They have submitted a petition to the Judge demanding medical treatment for the injuries. The Judge sent a letter to the Superintend of the Palayamkottai Central jail asking him to do the needful to provide treatment at the hospital situated within the jail. Accordingly, Edwin underwent treatment at the prison hospital for ten days; from 13th August 2007 to 23rd August 2007.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

Case Details:

: : : :

TN/TIR 60/SEPT/07 Elango Kannan, SI Kalakaadu, Kakkan Nagar, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli Date of incident : 25/08/2007

Victim Elango, of the Pallar caste, resides at Kakkan Nagar, Kalakaadu. On 25 August 2007 at 6.00pm, a jeep – in which SI Kannan and another police officer were seated – stopped in front of his house. The SI called Elango and his wife outside; when Elango asked why they had been summoned, the SI shouted at him not to ask questions.

The SI drove Elango and his wife to the police station. He asked them where they were keeping a set of lamps that had been stolen from the Vaadhyamman Temple. Elango responded that he knew nothing about the lamps and had committed no wrong. He added that both he and his wife had been away from their residence and had only recently returned. The SI asked why they had left, and Elango responded that he had been seeking daily labour. The SI asked Elango’s wife to corroborate this story; she did so.

The SI proceeded to shout at Elango (using the word “thaayoli”) and to make insulting remarks about his caste. Then he beat Elango with a baton below his knees. He accused Elango of lying and threatened to charge him with other pending cases if he failed to admit his crime.

Tamil Nadu

The SI sent Elango’s wife home, telling her that he would send her husband home after asking him some more questions.

Elango admitted that he had been arrested twice for previous infractions, and had received seven months’ punishment for them – but he refused to admit that he had done anything wrong this time. The SI did not believe him, and proceeded to beat his legs further and to ask him where he had sold the lamps. Elango responded that he had known nothing about the lamps before the SI had told him about them. The SI beat Elango’s legs 143 once again, and then left the premises. At 9.00pm, a PC entered the room and told Elango that he had to spend the night at the police station. Another PC woke Elango the next morning at 7.00am. At 8.00am, the SI returned and proceeded to file charges against Elango and to collect his fingerprints, despite Elango’s insistence that he had done nothing wrong. At 10.30am, the police took Elango to the Nanguneri Court, where a judge sentenced him to fourteen days in jail without asking any questions.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: TN/TIR 69/OCT/07 : Ganesan : Muthu Subramaniam, SI : Gangaikondan PS : 03/11/2007

Case Details: Victim Ganesan resided at the Railway Colony in Aaladipatti, near Gangaikondan, for five years. During this time, he helped the women of the Colony to start the Pullimaan Self-Help Group, with the assistance of the Arumbukal Trust. This Group had 13 members; Malayammal and Avudayammal held the posts of President and Vice-President (respectively). In the process of arranging for bank loans to Group members, and to pay

Annual Report on Torture

Elango spent fourteen days in the Nanguneri Sub-Jail before being released on bail. Afterwards, he had to visit the police station daily to sign a form. He was afraid that if he tried to initiate an action against the SI, the SI would file more charges against him and harass his family. Elango thus declined to take any action against the SI.

2007

some family expenses, Ganesan embezzled Rs. 25,000 of the Group’s funds. Thus, Malayammal and Ayudayammal lodged a complaint against Ganesan at the Gangaikondan PS. The police brought Ganesan to the station, but later set him free on the condition that he repay the money in monthly instalments.

Tamil Nadu

On 3 November 2007, while Ganesan was working at a farm, a HC arrived to tell him that the SI wanted to see him immediately. Ganesan asked why; the HC responded that the SI needed Ganesan for an enquiry. Ganesan took a bus to the police station.

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At 10.30am, SI Muthu Subaramniam arrived, slapped Ganesan’s cheek, and asked for the money. Then the SI hit Ganesan five more times; one blow hit Ganesan’s ear (the ear still hurts today). The SI told him that instead of eating others’ money he should eat the “sunni [a highly offensive term for male genitalia].” The SI insulted Ganesan’s caste, saying that “palla dogs” always behaved like this and did not return money. Then the SI kicked Ganesan’s shoulder; Ganesan fell down. The SI ran towards Ganesan and stamped on his belly with his booted foot. The SI shouted at Ganesan to return the money, threatening him with death if he did not. Ganesan told the SI that he would pay the money if he was permitted to borrow it from his uncle in Thurayoor. The SI rejected this plan, saying that Ganesan should pimp his wife and daughter in the red light district instead, and that the SI could provide the address if necessary. The SI also referred to Ganesan as a “pundai magane [a highly offensive term for female genitalia].” Because Ganesan was staying calm, the SI asked him whether he ate rice or the “sunni.” The SI told Ganesan to bring his wife and daughter to the station at 6.00pm. Ganesan replied that this request was impossible, since his wife was unwell and his daughter was at work.

Annual Report on Torture

The SI asked the HC to take Ganesan to Thurayoor and to bring his uncle back. The HC took Ganesan to Thurayoor in an auto, where he asked Ganesan’s uncle to come to the police station – but Ganesan’s uncle refused as he had to attend a funeral, promising to come the next day instead.

2007

Ganesan and the HC returned to the station (Ganesan had to pay the auto fare). The SI threatened to file a case against Ganesan’s entire family unless Ganesan brought his daughter to the station that evening. The SI told the HC to take Ganesan back to Thurayoor, which the HC did on his motorcycle. The HC left Ganesan at Thurayoor. Ganesan checked into the High Ground Government Hospital and explained his injuries to a doctor.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/TIR 64/JAN/07 Iyappan 1) Govindan, SI; 2) HC Uthumalai PS, Sankarankoil Taluk 24/09/2007

Victim Iyappan, of the Nadar caste, resides at South Panavadali Chatiram in Sankarankoil Taluk. From 20-23 October 2007, he worked at a construction site in Kavala Krutchi. He did not know that some copper wires were lost from this site, and that the site security officer accordingly filed a complaint at the Uthumalai Police Station. On 24 October 2007, a police jeep stopped in Iyappan’s street. Govindan SI – whom Iyappan knew because the SI had arrested him twice in previous theft cases – told Iyappan to get into the jeep to be interrogated. Iyappan complied.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

145

The jeep dropped Iyappan and the SI off at the Uthumalai PS, where Iyappan was made to wait in the clerk’s room. After the SI had breakfast, he approached Iyappan and asked him where he was keeping or where he had sold the missing copper wires from Kavala Krutchi. Iyappan replied that he had taken no copper wires from Kavala Krutchi, and that the site mason could verify this fact. The SI responded by hitting Iyappan in the back with a log and threatening him with being beaten to death if he did not tell the truth. The SI then punched Iyappan two or three times. He then made Iyappan lie down on a bench and asked the Head PC to hold Iyappan’s legs while he beat Iyappan’s feet continuously. The SI told Iyappan to confess to the crime, since he had a record of theft and could be charged with many more infractions.

In the afternoon, the HC took Rs. 20 from Iyappan’s pocket and used the money to buy food for Iyappan. At 3.30pm, the SI returned, asked the HC whether Iyappan had confessed, and learned that he had not. The SI thus asked the HC to take Iyappan’s fingerprints and signature, and then to release him. Before Iyappan left, the SI told him that he had to come to the police station whenever asked, and that if he tried to inform anyone that he had been beaten, the SI would charge him with several other cases of theft. Iyappan returned home. The next day, he visited the Government Hospital at Sankarankoil for treatment. He was unwilling to take action against the SI, for fear that he would be charged with many crimes.

Annual Report on Torture

Iyappan told the SI that he had not taken the wires, that he had reformed his ways since his previous convictions, and that he had had steady work for six months. The SI demanded that Iyappan tell the truth, and again threatened to kill him. The SI left the station, and the HC repeated the threat that Iyappan must confess or be beaten to death. Iyappan insisted once again that he was not lying.

2007

FF Code : Victim(s) : Perpetrator(s) : Location

:

Date of incident :

TN/TIR 48/SEPT/07 Ramesh 1) Jeyakumar, AC 2)Muthu, SI 3) Gnana Palayamkottai Perumal Puram PS, Thirunelveli District 01/08/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

146

Victim Ramesh was a 23 year-old driver who resided in Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli district. On 13th August 2007 at around 9.30am, Ramesh received a call from the Palayamkottai PS asking him to come to Out Post PS. The police went and took Ramesh to the PS in a van. Ramesh got into the van. Ramesh’s friend Sahul Hameed was already inside the vehicle. At the Perumal Puram PS AC Mr. Jeyaraman inquired Ramesh about who worked as watch man in the Melapalayam Sewage Treatment Plant. He also inquired the same of Sahul Hameed. The AC retained Ramesh and released Sahul Hameed. AC Jeyaraman slapped Ramesh’s cheeks three times. At 06.00pm, PC Thiru Gnana Sambandam, the AC and other policemen took Ramesh to Manur where the police went to a funeral house. The police left Ramesh in the car for two hours. Again they went back to PS there Ramesh was detained that night. The next day, the police took Ramesh to Melapalayam PS, where AC Jeyaraman and PI Ramakrishnan started interrogating Ramesh. In the PS police were interrogating Sorimuthu Thevar of Kubeeba Kurichi, Mr. Madasamy, who resided near the Sewage Treatment Plant, and Mr. Raj of Vannar Pettai, about the murder at the sewage plant. All the individuals were kept in one room.

Annual Report on Torture

Each individual was taken to another room and tortured. After two days, on 17th August 2007, PC Gnana Sambandam, came, took Ramesh to another room. For half an hour PC Gnana Sambandam tied Ramesh and beat on his feet. Ramesh shouted in pain. After that SI Muthu beat Ramesh with his hand.

2007

Ramesh was kept in the AC Force Office till 22 nd August 2007. At 1.00pm in the afternoon, AC Jeyaraman took Ramesh to Perumal Puram PS. The police took a video recording. And then Ramesh said he didn’t know anything about the murder. Once again the police brought Ramesh to the AC Force Office. There AC Jeyaraman told Ramesh that only a small case would be filed on him, and told Ramesh to pay fine at the court. Ramesh accepted that. That night, at around 8.00pm, the police brought Ramesh to Melapalayam PS. The police got Ramesh signed at Melapalayam PS. The next day, 23/08/2007, at the Palayamkottai Evening Court, Ramesh paid a fine of Rs. 150/-.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

TN/TIR 52/SEPT/07 Selvam 1) Kosalappan, SI; 2) HC Vickramasingapuram, Ambasamuthiram,Thirunelveli Date of incident : 11/09/2007

Victim Selvam, of the Parayar caste, resides at the Anavan Colony, Vickiramasingapuram. On 9 September 2007, he rode his bicycle to Ambasamudram to watch a film; the film finished late in the evening, and he returned home to sleep afterwards. On the same evening, there was a theft at the house of Andhoni Packiasamy, who lives on the same street as Selvam.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

147

At 9.00am the next morning, the police arrived and conducted a local investigation; Selvam stood nearby. The police departed after their investigation was complete. At 10.00pm, three policemen – none of whom were in uniform – came to Selvam’s house and asked to see him. The demanded that he get into their jeep to answer some questions; when Selvam’s father asked why, they responded that they would return Selvam after asking him some questions. SI Kosalappan slapped Selvam on the cheek and demanded that he get into the jeep.

The SI picked up a log and asked the Head PC to hold Selvam’s hands out; the SI hit Selvam’s hands with the log. The SI then told the HC to make Selvam bend over. The HC punched Selvam’s back four or five times. Selvam told them once again that he did not know anything. The SI told Selvam to lie down on his back, and asked the HC to hold Selvam’s legs. With the log, the SI beat Selvam on his thighs and below his knees, demanding that Selvam tell the truth. Selvam maintained that he had not stolen anything. The SI asked Selvam to sit up, and gave him water to drink. The SI – having learned about it from Selvam’s neighbours – asked Selvam about his late arrival home on the night of the theft. The SI told Selvam that he should know what happened, as he returned home from the film at the same time as the theft took place. The SI continued to use the term “thaayoli.” Then the SI took Selvam by the hair and dashed his head against the wall. He told Selvam that if he did not tell the truth, the police would not set him free.

Annual Report on Torture

The police took Selvam to the police station, where they asked him for details about those who had been involved in the theft at Andhoni Packiasamy’s house. They told him that if he did not provide details, they would file a case against him. Selvam replied that he had not stolen anything; he offered to let the police search his house, and said that if they found anything they could then file a case against him. The SI said that Selvam was too bold and verbally abused him with the term “thaayoli.”

2007

The SI did not beat Selvam further, but instead made him remain standing for three hours – which was very painful for Selvam because of the beatings to his legs. Then, the police took Selvam to a separate room and made him take off all clothes except his underwear. They fastened his legs together with chains, which they left on Selvam’s legs all night.

Tamil Nadu

The next morning at around 8.00am, a HC arrived, unfastened the chains on Selvam’s legs, and brought him out of the room. He took Selvam’s fingerprints, told Selvam to sign a blank sheet of paper, and made Selvam sit in the writer’s room. Since Selvam’s legs were swollen, he could not bend his knees.

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At around 9.00am, the SI returned. Selvam’s father arrived shortly thereafter and spoke to the SI; the SI said that he would put Selvam in jail for theft if either he or his father filed a complaint against the police or informed a doctor. Selvam’s father then left. The SI asked Selvam once again who had gone to see the film with him, and what he knew about the theft. Selvam maintained that he knew nothing. The SI told his colleague to file a “suspicion case” on Selvam and to collect Selvam’s signature; he then told Selvam that he should come whenever the police called. When Selvam left the police station, his father took him to the Govenrment Hospital in Vickiramasingapuram, where Selvam received an injection. Selvam did not speak to the doctors about his experience at the police station because of the SI’s threats.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/TIR 43/SEPT/07 Vijayakumar Sankar, SI Melapalayam PS, Thirunelveli Taluk 30/07/2007

Case Details:

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Vijayakumar resides on Palakatu Street at Veeramanikapuram. He belongs to the Hindu Pallar caste and works as an auto driver.

2007

One of Vijayakumar’s neighbours, Parameswaran, would go with his family to visit his parents on most holidays. Vijayakumar would usually take them in his auto to the new bus stand in Tirunveli. Vijayakumar did so, as per usual, on 27 July 2007 at 8.00pm. On 30 July 2007 at 9.00pm, SI Sankar approached Vijayakumar and said that the police wanted to ask him some questions. When Vijayakumar asked why, the SI insulted him by saying “thevidar maganae,” slapped his cheeks, and demanded that he come at once. Vijayakumar asked the SI why he had slapped him. The SI responded with the caste-related insult “Palla paiya” and thrashed Vijayakumar’s lower legs with a baton. The police took Vijayakumar in their jeep to Melapalayam PS. There, they made Vijayakumar sit in the SI’s room.

At about 11.00pm, the SI told Vijayakumar to go home but to return whenever asked. The SI also threatened to file a case against Vijayakumar if he informed anyone that the SI had beaten him. When Vijayakumar came out of the police station, his father and his friend Ganesh were waiting for him. They all travelled to Vijayakumar’s house in an auto.

Tamil Nadu

After some time, the SI entered and asked Vijayakumar whether he had taken money and a ring from Parameswaran’s house. The SI told Vijayakumar that he would not be let free unless he confessed the truth. Vijayakumar insisted that he had never entered Parameswaran’s house. The SI became angry, made Vijayakumar stand up, and asked him to hold out his hands. The SI then thrashed Vijayakumar’s hands with a baton. He called Vijayakumar a rascal, demanded that he tell the truth, and beat his body. The SI asked Vijayakumar why someone would come from far away to steal from Parameswaran’s house. He made Vijayakumar bend over and elbowed Vijayakumar in the back. Vijayakumar cried out in pain. The SI made Vijayakumar stand and jump. The SI promised to speak to Parameswaran and to set things right – and not to file a case against Vijayakumar – if Vijayakumar told the truth. Then the SI insulted Vijayakumar, calling him a “Palla kuti maganae,” and thrashed him severely. The SI left the room.

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Vijayakumar could not sleep all night. Vijayakumar’s friends and family members told him to file a complaint against SI, but Vijayakumar refused because he feared that the police would torture him and file a false case against him – and that, in such a case, no one would take care of his family. Parameswaran did not state that he suspected Vijayakumar of the theft; he mentioned only the theft itself. Parameswaran insisted that he had no problem with Vijayakumar, and expressed worry that Vijayakumar had been detained by the police. SI Sankar refused to say anything about the incident.

: : : :

Date of incident :

TN/TIR 51/SEPT/07 Murugan Jamal, SI Pottal village, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram 05/09/2007

Case Details: Murugan is a resident of Kamarajapuram. He had worked at the Maadhavan brick kiln in Pottal Village for two years. On 3 September 2007, a tarpaulin went missing from the kiln. The kiln’s owner, Mr. Madhavan, filed a complaint with the Kalidaikurichi police. The following day at around 1.00pm, the SI Jamal and a Head PC came to ask questions of everyone at the kiln. One worker, Subramanian, who belonged to the same

Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

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community as Murugan and worked three days a week at the kiln, was absent. After interrogating everyone else at the kiln, the police left to find Subramanian. On 5 September 2007, Murugan did not go to work, as he had painting work to do at home. At around 10.00am, the SI and the HC arrived at Murugan’s house in a jeep. They asked him to come with them so that they could ask him questions about the theft of the tarpaulin. On getting into the jeep, Murugan noticed that Subramanian was there too, and that the tarpaulin was beside him.

Tamil Nadu

The SI and the HC took Murugan and Subramanian to the police station. On arrival, the SI asked Murugan whether he had told Subramanian to take the tarpaulin, and slapped Murugan on both of his cheeks. Murugan replied that he was not close with Subramanian and knew him only from his work at the kiln. The SI shouted at Murugan that Subramanian had said that he had taken the tarpaulin on Murugan’s suggestion. The SI accused Murugan of lying and told him to confess. He beat Murugan with a baton on his right thigh. Murugan replied that Subramanian did not come often to work, and that he had not plotted with him to steal the tarpaulin. The SI did not listen to Murugan’s answer, instead saying that Murugan had told Subramanian to take the 150 tarpaulin, which was purchased for Rs. 10,000 and could now be sold for Rs. 8,000. The SI told Murugan to confess; Murugan replied again that he did not know anything. The SI punched Murugan in the back. He told Murugan to sit down, and hit him with a baton on the soles of his feet. Murugan could not bear the pain. Meanwhile, the police had Subramanian sit in the writer’s room, where they did nothing to him. After some time, they called him into the room with Murugan and asked Subramanian whether Murugan was the person who had told him to take the tarpaulin. Subramanian answered that on 3 September 2007 Murugan had told him to take the tarpaulin, that the two had gone home together, and that Murugan had told him to keep the tarpaulin at home rather than coming to work the next day. Murugan denied what Subramanian said, asserting that Subramanian was blaming him in order to escape punishment. The SI did not believe Murugan, instead punching him in the back. Murugan experienced difficulty in breathing and pain in his legs. The SI left.

Annual Report on Torture

At around 3.00pm, the SI returned and asked the HC to file a case against Murugan and Subramanian and to take them to court. Murugan repeated that he had done nothing wrong, but the SI did not listen.

2007

The HC took Murugan to the writer’s room and collected his fingerprints. He then took Murugan and Subramanian to the court. On the way, the HC told Murugan that if he told the judge about having been beaten, the police would charge him with other pending allegations. On arrival at the Judicial Magistrate Court at Ambasamudram, the HC brought Murugan and Subramanian before a judge, who remanded them to jail for fourteen days. Murugan’s relatives released him on bail the next day; Subramanian remained in jail.

FF Code : Victim(s) : Perpetrator(s) : Location : Date of incident :

TN/CHE 64/SEPT/07 Suresh Mr. Radha Krishnanan, SIPCs, A 1 PS A 1 PS 21/09/2007

Indira and Saritha had an altercation. Afterward, Saritha’s husband, Ananthan, began harassing Indira with strikes to the back and sexually offensive language. Victim Suresh, Indira’s husband, approached Ananthan with questions about his behavior. Ananthan then lodged a complaint with the police that Suresh had attempted to murder him. Police from the A 1 PS took Suresh from his home and took him to the PS. At the A 1 PS, police PCs forced Suresh to stand in his undergarments and then beat him on the hands and legs with a baton. That evening, the SI, Mr. Radha Krishnanan, went to the A 1 PS. Suresh attempted to appeal to the SI and affirm his innocence. The SI continued to beat him. Afterward, the SI obtained Suresh’s signature on a blank piece of paper before releasing him.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

151

Suresh sustained injuries that prevented him from walking. Suresh was admitted to K. M. C. Suresh seeks to take action on his behalf against the SI and PCs of A 1 PS.

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Location : Date of incident :

TN/KK 50/SEPT/0 Chellasamy 1)John Bosco, SI 2) Chakarvarthy, PI 3) Kangaraj, PC 4) Thanganadan, PC 5) Prasanna, DSP Nitthiravilai PS 05/06/2007

Case Details: Victim Chellasamy, belonging to Nadar-Christian Community, is residing at Venkodu Village, Kanyakumari. On 5th June 2007, when he was sleeping at his home, a thief got in to his house and tried to snatch the gold chain from his wife’s neck. When his wife shouted, the thief ran away. The thief also stole seven sovereigns of gold from Chellasamy neighbor George’s house. The next day, the Pudhukadai SI John Bosco took

Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

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Chellasamy the Pudhukadai PS under the pretext of an enquiry. At the PS, Chellasamy was charged with the theft of George’s house. Chellasamy denied the jewelry theft allegation. PC George stamped on Chellasamy’s stomach with his boot. PC Kanagaraj slapped Chellasamy twice on his right cheek and abused him calling him a “thieving bastard!” The PC told Chellasamy that he could go begging instead of stealing. Even after Chellasamy started to cry in pain, the police continued brutally attacking him. DSP Prasanna threatened him that the matter will get complicated if he did not return the stolen jewelry and abused him using highly offensive terms.

Tamil Nadu

HPC Thanganadan removed the gold ring from Chellasamy’s finger. Then, PCs Thanganadan and Kanagaraj made Chellasamy stand almost naked. Later, PI Chakravarthy and SI John Bosco forced Chellasamy to

152

stamped hard on Chellasamy’s chest.

lean on a wall. They both grabbed his legs and pulled them apart and to the side. Chellasamy unable to endure the pain cried aloud. The PC covered his mouth with a towel. PI Chakravarthy with this right knee

The PC took turns alternately beating Chellasamy with batons. When Chellasamy asked the PCs for water to drink they refused and instead they suggested he to drink his own urine. The PCs stripped Chellasamy half-naked and chained him up, leaving him lying in the same place for four days. He was not provided with proper food. On 9th June 2007, Chellasamy’s relatives arranged for a bail order and met PI Chakravarthy and asked him to release Chellasamy. But, he refused. Later, the PI took Chellasamy to Nitthiravilai PS. After half an hour, they brought him back the Pudhukadai PS. The PI got his signature in a paper on which some thing was written. Chellasamy was taken to the house of the Judge of Kuzhithurai Court. Since the Judge had gone on leave, they took him to the Kuzhithurai Government Hospital and got a false medical certificate issued, and then took him to the Eraniyal Court. The court asked the police to return the next day. On 10th June 2007, Chellasamy Annual Report on Torture

was handcuffed and produced at the Eraniyal Court. The judge ordered him to be remanded at the Sub-Jail

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at Kuzhithurai. On 27th June 2007 Chellasamy was released on bail. During the 17 days of imprisonment, no medical treatment was given to Chellasamy. When he was released, he was admitted in the Emergency Ward of the Medical College Hospital at Aasaripallam. He underwent treatment for 7 days, from 27th June 2007 to 4th July 2007.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/CHE 87/OCT/07 David Periyar 1) Ravi, PI; 2) Kalidas, SI; 3) unnamed PCs Thuraipakkam J9 PS, Chennai 25/08/2007

Victim David Periyar, of the Kallar caste, owns and operates a mess. On the date of the incident at around 5.00am, he was returning with his nephew from Salem to Chola Nallur when they saw a man lying in a pool of blood near the TATA Company. David Periyar stopped their vehicle and contacted Thuraipakkam J9 PS. He and his nephew waited for the police until 6.00am. At that time, the police had still not arrived, so the two returned home.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

153

At 3.00pm, a police jeep arrived at David Periyar’s mess. SI Kalidas and other PCs arrived and pulled David Periyar by his collar into the jeep. They took him to the police station and presented him to PI Ravi. The PI asked David Periyar whether he knew anything about who had murdered the man in the road, and threatened to charge David Periyar with the crime unless the confessed the murderer’s name. David Periyar replied that if he had murdered the man, he would not have informed the police. The PI became angry and slapped David Periyar’s left cheek. David Periyar asked the PI to stop, as he knew that beating was illegal. The PI proceeded to abuse him verbally. The PI told David Periyar to remove his shirt and pants, and then thrashed him with a baton on his head, nose, right shoulder, and legs. The PI demanded that David Periyar admit to committing the murder, but David Periyar refused. The PI pushed David Periyar and demanded that he sit with his back against a wall. One PC stood on David Periyar’s thighs while the PI beat David Periyar’s feet. David Periyar could not bear the pain. The PI continued to thrash his feet and legs before tying David Periyar’s legs with a chain and leaving him in the room.

David Periyar wanted to file a charge against the PI, but his parents dissuaded him, fearing more problems in the future. The police caught the real murderers a month later.

Annual Report on Torture

At about 8.00pm, some of David Periyar’s colleagues and comrades came to the police station. The police released him after he signed an agreement to present himself at the station whenever asked.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: : :

Location : Date of incident :

TN/SVG 66/NOV/07 1) Dharmaraj; 2) Sonaimuthu; 3) Kumar 1) Bababugadeen, PI; 2) Senthil Pandi, PC; 3) Mayakrishnan, PC; 4) two unnamed PCs Parthibanur-Abiramam PS 23/11/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

154

Victims Dharmaraj, Sonaimuthu, and Kumar belong to the Hindu Parayar community and work as daily wage labourers. Dharmaraj’s in-laws, including Yesudoss, worked in a brick chamber at Suganya brick chamber. The chamber owner tortured them, so they filed a complaint to the SP of Ramanathapuram District and the DSP of Paramakudi, who conducted an enquiry. Yesudoss and others later went to Chennai to find other work. On 23 November 2007, late at night, eight officers from the Abiramam PS in of Ramanathapuram District and a PI from the Parthibanur PS, on the urging of the brick chamber owner, burst into several Dalit houses, including the victims’. In the victims’ house, the police insulted them with highly offensive terms, such as “son of a cunt” and “puzhuthi [offensive slang for the fraenulum of the penis],” as well as caste-related insults. The police also stamped on Dharmaraj’s father with booted feet. They then took the victims to the police station. At the station, the PI, as well as PCs Mayakrishnan and Senthil Pandi, slapped the victims’ cheeks and punched their backs. The officers asked “You scoundrels, what is the problem with Yesudoss working in the chamber?” and threatened to beat their knees, so badly that they could not walk, until Yesudoss returned from Chennai. The officers continued to beat the victims. The police then locked the victims in separate rooms and did not provide them with any food.

Annual Report on Torture

The next day at around 12.00pm, the police collected the victims’ fingerprints.

2007

At around 6.00pm, the police made the victims sign some papers before letting them leave. The victims filed complaints with RDO, the Superintendent of Police, the District Collector, the InspectorGeneral (Southern Region), SHRC, the State Office of the National Commission for the Scheduled Caste, and the CM of Tamil Nadu. The PI maintains that the victims were taken into custody on a charge of theft.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

Date of incident :

TN/SVG 79/NOV/O7 1) Durai Pandi; 2) Boopathy Rajesh, SI Manamadurai PS, Manamadurai Taluk, Sivagangai District 12/10/2007

Case Details:

On 12 October 2007, a mason from the same village, named Gandhi, started a quarrel with Durai Pandi and Boopathy. Gandhi said that Durai Pandi and Boopathy had teased his daughter; he thus lodged a complaint against them.

Tamil Nadu

Victim Durai Pandi, age 15 and of the Hindu-Pallan community, resides at Krishnarajapuram in Manamadurai Taluk, Sivagangai District, where he is studying at the 10th standard level. Victim Sekar, age 17, is of the same village and studies at the 11th standard level.

Later that day, under the pretext of an enquiry, SI Rajesh took both of the boys to the Manamadurai PS, where he beat them until they squirmed with pain. The SI made Durai Pandi and Boopathy remove their clothes and sit in a cell in their underwear. The SI beat them again and then filed a case against them.

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The SI remanded Durai Pandi and Boopathy to the Juvenile Home in Madurai Eight days later, Durai Pandi’s and Boopathy’s parents paid a fine of Rs. 5,000 and brought the boys home. The case filed by the SI is pending before the courts.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

TN/VEL 43/JUNE/07 1) Esa; 2) Esa’s wife Unnamed POs North, South, and Virijipuram PSs, Vellore Date of incident : 12/06/2007 Case Details:

Meanwhile, SI Pughazh had taken Esa’s wife to the South PS for an enquiry. The police then brought Esa’s wife and mother-in-law to the Virijipuram PS. There, the police stripped Esa naked in front of his relatives and verbally abused him. The police then thrashed Esa brutally with batons and demanded where he kept a set of stolen jewels. The police also beat Esa’s wife, forcing her to hand over the jewels that Esa had given her. The police threatened to shoot Esa and to report that he had died while trying to escape. On release, Esa and his wife were admitted to the Government Hospital in Adukkamparai. Esa and his wife now suffer from depression.

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Esa lives with his wife. On 10 June 2007, PCs Afzal and Partheeban took Esa to the North PS under the pretext of an enquiry. The police then took Esa to the Virijipuram PS, where other PCs beat him with batons and detained him for three days on a false charge of theft. At the station, the police beat Esa.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: : :

Tamil Nadu

Location : Date of incident :

TN/CHE 108/NOV/O7 George 1) Jeyakumar, PI, Ambathur PS; 2) Tamil Selvan, SI, Ambathur PS; 3) unnamed POs Various locations, Chennai 25/11/2006

Case Details:

Victim George worked as a Sub-PI in BSF before voluntarily retiring to search for another job. On returning home after searching for a job in Ambathur, Aavadi, a gang of five or six persons started to beat him and tried 156 to remove a gold ring from his finger. The gang told bystanders that George had run away after snatching a gold chain – so some of the bystanders began to beat George as well, and informed the Ambathur police. PI Jeyakmuar arrived on the scene, made enquiries of the bystanders, struck George’s cheeks and back with his hand, and took George away on his bike. The PI brought George to the Ambathur PS, where he took George’s possessions, including rings, an ATM card, and a cell phone. Five men in civilian clothing beat George, presuming that he was a thief. They struck him with hands and with a baton on his back, his hands, and his chest; they also kicked him with booted feet in his buttocks and back. They continued to beat him, demanding that he admit the theft. At one point, a PC gave him water. The police informed George that someone had stolen a 2-sovereign chain from the Puzhal Jail, and demanded that he admit having committed this crime. George refused to oblige. The police told George to remove his shirt and pants and to sit with his legs out. SI Tamil Selvan struck George with an iron rod on his thighs, back, hands, and ankles.

Annual Report on Torture

The police advised George that he could resolve this issue by giving them a bribe of Rs. 1 lakh.

2007

At around 11.30pm, the police took George to Thank Factory P, where they told him once again to remove his shirt and pants. They tied his hands behind him. Four policemen held his legs straight out and then kicked his chest and thighs with booted feet. George lost consciousness and fell down. After five minutes, the policemen woke him by pouring water into his mouth. Then, four PCs picked George up, brought him to another room, tied both of his hands, and struck him with an iron rod all over his body. They demanded that he accept his crime. The police then made George sit on the floor with his hands tied behind him and his legs spread apart, while five policemen kicked him all over his body and struck him with an iron rod. George screamed with pain, but the policemen immediately stuffed his mouth with a cuff so that he could not make a noise. The police kept George at Thank Factory P all night with no food.

The next morning at around 7.00am, the police took George to Ambathur PS. SI Tamil Selvan, SI Jeyakumar, and other policemen repeatedly hit him with batons and iron rods, and kicked him with booted feet.

At around 11.30pm, the police took George to Aavadi PS, where an SI, two PCs, and a Police Driver beat him with their hands, asking him what else he had stolen. They told George that even if he was released from Puzhal Jail on bail, they would have him killed by rowdy men. They forced George to admit to another theft in Aavadi, despite that the victim of that theft failed to identify George as the thief. The next day at 10.00am, PC Mohan and another PC took George to KTC for an x-ray before returning him to the police station. Another PC applied balm to George’s body and massaged him. SI Tamil Selvan, PI Jeyakumar, and other PCs told George not to disclose that he had been tortured, threatening to hack his family if he did so. They forced George to sign a blank document.

Tamil Nadu

At around 11.00am, the police took George to Korattur PS, where they thrashed and kicked him. George could no longer walk. The police took George to his house and searched the premises but did not find anything. They returned George to Ambathur PS. They then moved him to O.T. PS before returning him once again to Ambathur PS.

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The next day, the police took George to Ambathur Court, where a judge ordered him jailed. George was released on bail on 3 December 2007. On the next day, he went to the police station to ask for his possessions, but the PI refused.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 83/SEPT/07 Gobinath Unnamed POs, Sathan Kaadu PS Chennai 02/10/2007

Victim Gobinath works as a coolie. On 29 September 2007, he and a friend entered a house in Kalaivanar Nagar in order to steal guavas. While they were searching through the cupboards, the house owner returned, so the two ran away. On 2 October 2007 at around 2.00am, six policemen (three in uniform and three in civilian clothing) came to Gobinath’s house. One grabbed Gobinath’s collar and pulled him out of his house. When Gobinath’s elder brother asked the reason for Gobinath’s treatment, the police pulled him out of the house. The police put both brothers into their van.

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

Tamil Nadu

The police drove them to a building in a forest area of Sathan Kaadu. Inside the building, Gobinath’s brother was left on the ground floor while Gobinath was taken upstairs. Gobinath’s legs were chained and he was hung upside-down. Four PCs beat him on his thighs and buttocks. Two other PCs bent his head backwards and tied it in that position before kicking his belly with their booted feet.

158

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 68/JULY/07 James Unnamed PCs Chennai 02/07/2007

Case Details: Victim James, of the Adi-Dravidar caste, resided with his parents at 58th Street, Nallankuppam Street, Ashoknagar, Chennai. He had been involved in some illegal activities with his neighbour Jeganathan, but later came to disapprove of Jeganathan and took honest work as a coolie. Jeganathan filed many false complaints against James and looked on James’ family as enemies. On 2 July 2007 at 9.00am, police came to James’ house and arrested him. They kicked him with booted feet in front of his parents. The police then lifted James by his collar. They pushed James’ father when he attempted to assist his son. The police also used filthy language like “come you bastards [vada thevidar paiya].” They took James to the R6 PS.

Annual Report on Torture

When the jeep stopped at the station, the police grabbed James by his collar and dragged him inside. Four policemen taunted him by calling him a bastard [“thevidar paiya”] and using caste-related insults [“para thevidar paiya”]. They told him that Jeganathan had filed a complaint against him. They asked James whether he had given up stealing, and said that he would only forgo the habit if they detailed him under theGoondas Act. James replied that he was working as a coolie.

2007

The police told James to take off his clothes and sit in his underwear. Two policemen stood on his thighs and stamped on his legs. They made him stretch out his legs and thrashed his feet with a baton. James cried in pain. The police beat him continuously on his shoulder, legs, and back. They then made him stand up and stretch out his hands before striking his palms five times. The police detained James until 6.00pm before returning him to his parents. He could not walk properly or lift his hands. His mother gave him medicine, and he later sought treatment at a hospital in Ashoknagar. The police have charged James with more than 110 cases and told him to stay away from the village for security reasons. Jeganathan continues to file complaints against James’ family.

: TN/TAN 21/SEPT/07 : Jeevanantham : 1) Pughalendi, PI; 2) Rajenderan, SI; 3) Chandru, HC; 4) unnamed PCs Location : Boodhalur PS, Boodhalur Post, Thiruvaiyaru Taluk, Tanjore Date of incident : Second week of April 2007 Case Details: Victim Jeevanantham, age 27, resides at Vinanoorpatti village, within the jurisdiction of the Boodhalur PS. He belongs to the Hindu Adi Dravidar caste and earns his living by working as a coolie.

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

In the second week of April 2007 at 7.30pm, Jeevanantham mediated a scuffle that took place between Ramu 159 and Illangovan at Ayyanapuram. Illangovan had a previous grudge against Jeevanantham and thus incited Justin to file a complaint against Ramu, Tamil Selvan and Jeevanantham at the Boodhalur PS, stating that all three men had thrashed Justin and then snatched his gold chain. Later in the week at 10.00pm, two unknown PCs arrived in an auto and stated that SI Rajendran wanted to enquire into Justin’s complaint. They asked Jeevanantham and others to come along with them. Jeevanantham told the police officers that he and the others would come to the station on the next day. The next day, the PCs returned. They yelled at Jeevanantham, saying “Can’t you come to the police station when called?” To this, Jeevananthapuram replied that there was no bus facility from the village to the station. The PCs immediately took Jeevanantham and two others to the police station.

Jeevanantham’s mother arrived and asked the police to stop beating her son. However, the police thrashed and hit Jeevanantham all over his body and also used caste-related insults like “Palla paiya” against him. At about 11.20am, the villagers came to the station and the police stopped beating Jeevanantham and the two others. The SI took Rs. 100 and Rs. 500 from the pockets of Jeevanantham’s and one of the other men (respectively) and filed a petty case against all three. The HC also took Rs. 1000 from Jeevanantham and refused to return it.

Annual Report on Torture

At the station, PI Puzhalendi, SI Rajendran, HC Chandru, and other PCs were present. The SI told Jeevanantham and the other two men to remove their shirts and lungis and made them stand in their underwear. The SI thrashed Jeevanatham with a long cane on his palm, shoulder, back, thighs, and joints. The SI beat the other two men similarly until his cane broke. Meanwhile, the police interrogated Jeevanantham and the others about Justin’s complaint.

2007

Jeevanantham had to pay a fine of Rs. 600 at Thiruvaiyaru Court for the false charge against him.

FF Code Victim(s)

: TN/VEL 62/SEPT/08 : 1) Jegan; 2) Kotte; 3) Saravanan; 4) Sabi Perpetrator(s) : Unnamed POs Location : Viruthampattu Police Station, vellore Date of incident : 26/11/2006

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

160

On 26 November 2006, victims Jegan and Kotte decided to purchase a cell phone from victim Saravanan for Thavsip. While Jegan was getting his bike, victim Sabi hit and threatened Thasvip and Kotte and snatched his money and cell phone. Thavsip told his uncle and Jegan about the matter. At 5.00pm, all three men went to the South PS and told the police what had happened. At 11.00p.m., an auto containing some policemen arrived in front of Jegan’s house, where Kotte was staying. The police took Jegan and Kotte to the station, where they had already detained Saravanan and Sabi. The police made all four men strip naked and sit down. Three policemen thrashed them with batons on their legs, hands, and elsewhere. The police then tied their legs and moved Jegan and Sabi into a separate cell from Kotte and Saravanan. Two policemen entered Jegan’s cell and threatened to shoot him if he did not tell the truth. The police then thrashed Jegan and Sabi with metal pipes on their legs. At 12.00am, three other policemen arrived and thrashed Jegan with a metal pipe on his feet and buttocks. Jegan cried in pain. The police continued to hit Jegan for a half-hour before leaving. Jegan wept and could not sit down.

Annual Report on Torture

The next day at 6.00pm, Jegan’s parents came to the station. The police slapped Jegan in front of his parents and told his parents that they were going to remand him.

2007

At 8.00pm, the police took the Jegan’s and Kotte’s signatures and photographs and produced them before the JM. Two Special Duty policemen then interrogated them, asking whom Kotte had spoken to on the phone. The policemen made Jegan and Kotte get into an auto, where they threatened to kill Jegan and Kotte. The officers then took Kotte’s cell phone and Rs. 30. The police took Jegan and Kotte to the Viruthampatti PS, where a PC asked them who they were and who was in their gang. The PC then made them strip naked. He beat Jegan’s and Kote’s feet and stamped on their thighs with booted feet. The PC then threatened to hang them with a rope in his possession. The PC slapped Jegan, and both punched Kotte in the abdomen and pulled his hair. The PC let Jegan and Kotte go, demanding that they produce Sabi and Saravanan.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 97/NOV/07 Jeyaraj @ Raj 1) Vijayakumar, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Chennai 03/11/2007

Jeyaraj, a Sri Lankan repatriate, worked at a cell phone service shop run by Balamurugan.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details: On 1 November 2007, two youngsters approached Balamurugan, desiring to sell him a cell phone. Balamurugan responded that he did not buy cell phones. The youngsters departed, but then returned later claiming that the cell phone was lost and that he had taken it – and that they had accordingly lodged a complaint at the police 161 station. On 3 November 2007, a PC and an SI came to the shop and enquired about the cell phone theft. Jeyaraj replied that he had taken no cell phone, and that they should ask any further questions of Balamurugan. The police became furious and shouted at him. They told him that he was speaking haughtily and demanded to know where he was from. Jeyaraj replied that he was from Sri Lanka. The police responded that he had come from Sri Lanka to steal. Jeyaraj insisted that he was an honest person and had not come to steal.

The police dragged Jeyaraj by his collar onto a two-wheeler and took him to the police station. There, they asked him to undress. The PC then told PI Vijayakumar that Jeyaraj had tried to beat him. Immediately, PI Vijayakumar said “You dog! You have come from one country to another country to make a living, and you have such arrogance?” The PI then hit Jeyaraj with a baton on his back. Jeyaraj quivered with pain. The PI told Jeyaraj to lie down and hit him on his buttocks and feet. The PI then told Jeyaraj to stand up and extend his hands, which he hit give times. Jeyaraj writhed with pain. The police also detained and tortured Balamurugan. At around 7.45pm, Adv. Parasuraman came to the police station and spoke to the PI. At around 9.00pm, both Jeyaraj and Balamurugan were allowed to leave on the condition that they return to the station whenever requested to do so.

Annual Report on Torture

A PC slapped Jeyaraj on his left cheek, accusing him of insolence. When the PC tried to hit him again, Jeyaraj caught his hand. The SI hit Jeyaraj with his baton; Jeyaraj let go of the PC’s hand. The PC kicked Jeyaraj with his booted foot, and Jeyaraj fell down. The PC continued to beat Jeyaraj with a baton on his back, shoulder, head, and thighs.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

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Location

:

Tamil Nadu

Date of incident :

TN/KK 64/OCT/07 John Bosco 1) Mumtaj, PI, Manavalakurutchi PS; 2) unnamed HC; 3) three unnamed PCs Manavalakurutchi PS, Kalkulam Taluk, Kanya Kumari 12/10/2007

Case Details: Victim John Bosco resides at 31/10, Kadyapattinam, Manavalakurutchi Village. On 12 October 2007 at

162 around 8.00pm, John Bosco went to buy arrack from a government liquor shop.

At the shop, John Bosco got into a fight with some other men, who attacked him forcefully. A HC and a PC arrived and tried to break up the fight with their batons. In the scuffle, John Bosco was pushed down and beaten on his hands and legs. At around 8.45pm, the police took John Bosco to Manavalakurutchi PS. On the way, the police threatened and abused him. The police kept John Bosco tied up in the prisoner’s room. After a half-hour, they untied him and brought him out in handcuffs. The police took him to Manavalakurutchi Junction and beat him. Later, two PCs held John Bosco while PI Mumtaj punched him in the abdomen. The police beat him for an hour before returning him to the station. At 10.10pm, the two PCs removed John Bosco’s handcuffs, tied his legs to a door, and made him stand in his underwear.

Annual Report on Torture

John Bosco suffered all night from hunger and pain.

2007

The next day at around 7.00am, John Bosco’s wife and aunt came to the station see him. The police did not let them meet John Bosco, chasing them out instead. The police brought John Bosco some oil and ointment. At around 4.00pm, the police took John Bosco to the Government Hospital at Kulachal. At around 6.30pm, the police produced John Bosco before the Eranial Court, where a judge sentenced him to fifteen days’ imprisonment. The police also threatened John Bosco and his wife, forcing them to sign a blank paper.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: : :

Location : Date of incident :

TN/MDU 72/OCT/07 Kadambu 1) Murugesan, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Palladam PS 23/08/2007

Kadambu resides in Siruvanur Village, Thiruchuli Taluk, Virudhunagar District. On 23 August 2007, six police officers took Kadambu into custody and beat him. They filed six theft charges against him. On 26 August 2007 at around 1.30pm, SI Murugesan and three PCs from Aruppukotai made Kadambu get into their van. After driving for about three miles, they stopped near a pond and told Kadambu to get out. The police beat Kadambu with a four-foot iron chain and asked him where he was hiding eight kilograms of gold. They took Kadambu back into the van and tied his hands with the chain. The police verbally abused Kadambu and questioned him about a missing gold ornament. The SI beat Kadambu with a baton. Two PCs stood on Kadambu’s thighs while another kicked his chest.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

163

At around 1.30pm, the police took Kadambu to Dindigul, where they beat him. At around 2.30pm, Kadambu began to vomit blood. He fell asleep in the van. At around 4.00pm, the van reached Palladam PS. At around 7.00pm, the police took Kadambu to the hospital, where he was treated before being returned to the police station. On 27 August 2007 at around 8.00pm, the DSP arrived at the station and enquired after Kadambu. The SI told the DSP that Kadambu had fallen from a terrace. At around 10.00pm, the police took Kadambu to Palladam Hospital.

On 1 September 2007, Kadambu checked back into the hospital, where he received treatment until 13 September 2007. There has been no improvement in Kadambu’s health.

Annual Report on Torture

On 29 August 2007, the SI asked Kadambu to confess to having stolen a jewel. Kadambu refused, so the SI threatened to kill him.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/KK 44/SEPT/07 : Karupasamy : 1) Pensam, SI; 2) unnamed HC; 3) two unnamed PCs Location : Vadacheri PS Date of incident : 23/08/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details: Victim Karupasamy resides with his wife and two children at Arunthathiyar Street, Krishnankoil, Nagerkoil Village, Agasthiswaram Taluk, Kanya Kumari District. On 23 August 2007, Karupasamy fought with his wife Sakthi about family issues; in the fight, Karupasamy cut Sakthi’s hand with a knife.

164

Sakthi went to Vadacheri PS and filed a complaint against Karupasamy before checking into Nagerkoil Medical College Hospital for treatment. At around 3.00pm, Karupasamy went to the police station to meet his wife. An HC asked Karupasamy to wait. At 5.00pm, SI Pensam arrived. The HC and two PCs tied Karupasamy’s hands and tired him to an iron grille behind the SI’s desk. At around 8.00pm, the SI returned from his rounds. The SI, the HC, and the PCs beat Karupasamy. The SI kicked Karupasamy’s knees and asked if he had cut his wife. Asking if this was the hand that had cut Karupasamy’s wife, the SI beat Karupasamy’s hand seven times with a chain. Then the SI beat Karupasamy four times on his thighs. When Karupasamy cried out in pain, the SI threatened him with death. The SI continued to beat Karupasamy similarly until 10.00pm. During this time, the police made Karupasamy remove his lungi and shirt, and tied him with a chain.

Annual Report on Torture

The next morning, the SI filed charges against Karupasamy (Crime No. 945/07), under sections 341, 324, and 506(1).

2007

At around 2.30pm, the police produced Karupasamy before the Criminal Judicial Magistrate (II), Nagerkoil. A judge ordered Karupasamy detained for fifteen days.

Case Number Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

Date of incident :

TN/SAL 77/SEPT/07 1) Raja 2) Suresh 3) Kumar 1) Krishnan, HC Thonampatti PS , Ondiveeranur Village, Omalur Taluk, Salem 27/08/2007

On 18th August 2007, Kumar and Manimegalai eloped. On 25th August 2007 at 11.00am, Raja, (37) was taken to the PS by Thonampatti HC Krishnan for enquiry about the whereabouts Kumar and Manimegalai. HPC Krishnan struck Raja with baton on his buttocks and slapped on his ears. Raja later received treatment at a private hospital. On 27th August 2007, Kumar (24) and Suresh (23) were taken into custody by Thaonampatti HC Krishnan regarding the same issue. The police slapped Suresh and Kumar on cheeks and interrogated them about the absconded couple. The PC stood on Kumar and Suresh’s legs, beat them, and made them do 450 situps. The PC grabbed Suresh, and lifted him by the neck and then dropped him. The police slapped Suresh, causing facial swelling. The police beat Kumar and Suresh with batons, kicked them with their boots, and beat their thighs continuously. Suresh also sustained a bleeding left elbow injury. The PC stamped Suresh’s middle finger. The police forced Kumar and Suresh to jump with their toes resting on the floor and made them run inside the PS. On 28 August 2007, the PC told Suresh and Kumar to hold the ears of each other and do nearly 450 sit-ups.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

165

That evening, some of the villagers came to the station at 10.00pm. The PCs took Rs. 2000 and Kumar’s cell phone, then released Kumar and Suresh.

Case Number Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: TN/SAL 81/OCT/07 : Mr. Sekar : PC : All women PS, Kondalamapatti :25/09/2007

Case Details: Mr. Sekar (25) who resides at Yetimarathaukadu Neykaranpatti Post Salem was married to Krishnaveni. On 25th September 2007, Sekar’s wife Krishnaveni disappeared. Sekar unsuccessfully searched for her.

Annual Report on Torture

Kumar and Suresh were admitted in the hospital. The victims do want to pursue this matter.

2007

On 25 September 2007 at 5.00pm, a lady constable from Kondalampatti, All Women PS took Sekar to the PS because Krishnaveni’s father lodged a complaint that Sekar murdered his wife. The police told Sekar to

tell them where Krishnaveni’s body was. The police forced Sekar to stretch out his hands and then she beat them with a baton about 10 times and threatened to charge a murder case on his name. Later it was known that Sekar’s wife had eloped with Balu. The police obtained Sekar’s signature and released him.

Tamil Nadu

Case Number Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

166

: : : :

Date of incident :

TN/SAL 87/OCT/07 Prakasam 1) Sumathi, SI and 2) Manoharan, PC Valapadi PS,Valapadi Taluk, Salem District 19/06/2007

Case Details: Mr. Prakasam and his wife Shakuntala had a conflict between them for the past 6 months. Shakuntala lodged a complaint to the Valapadi PS alleging that Prakasam beat her. On 11th May 2007 a PC took Prakasam to the PS. There, the PC beat Prakasam with a baton and pulled his hair. The PC forced Prakasam to sit down, and then punched his back four times. He was then released. On 19th June 2007, at 4.00am, SI Sumathi and PC Manoharan went to Prakasam’s house and woke him. Sumathi shoved a kerchief into Prakasam’s mouth and tied his hands behind his back. Sumathi and the PC kicked Prakasam with their boots. They took him the PS. There, they tied Prakasam up with a 5 foot chain. They kept him at the station until 11.00am. The POs beat Prakasam and refused to let him use the toilet. At 11.30am, the PI untied Prakasam and they sent him to Central Prison, where he was detained for 10 days. Prakasam was released on bail.

Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

2007

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TN/SVG 15/FEB/07 1) R. Kumar; 2) M. Karuppu 1) Inspector 2) SI 3) Head Constable. Mariyamman kovil st,Indira Nagar, Sivagangai. Date of incident : 26/02/2007 Case Details: Victims Kumar and Karuppu belong to the Hindu Konar-Aasari community and make their living by gilding vessels. On 24 February 2007, the police asked Kumar and Karuppu to appear at the police station for an enquiry about children kidnapped in Sivagangai.

At the station, Kumar and Karuppu denied having anything to do with the kidnappings. A PI responded by hitting their cheeks. He also struck Kumar with a lathi on the left side of his body and on his legs. Kumar shouted with pain. The PI also beat Kumar’s brother. Karuppu’s mother, who was present in the station, knelt and begged the PI to leave her son alone. The PI responded by insulting her, saying “Pulla pethu vatchuruka paru, Thevadia,” and by thrashing her with a lathi on the back side of her body. The PI also pushed her down and kicked her chest.

The station HC threatened Karuppu’s mother and wife with false charges that would “destroy your family” if they told anyone – including hospital staff – about their treatment at the station. Later, Karuppu’s wife was admitted to the Sivagangai Hospital. The police continued to beat and torture Kumar and Karuppu from 24 to 26 February 2007, even when a Ward Member told the police that they were persons of good character. The police told Kumar and Karuppu to remove their clothes, placed their legs in a horizontal position, and beat them. The police also verbally abused Kumar and Karuppu.

Tamil Nadu

Witnessing her mother-in-law’s treatment, Karuppu’s wife vomited and fainted.

167

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/TAN 45/DEC/07 : Kumaresan : 1) Ravichandran, SI; 2) unnamed PCs, Vattathikottai PS Location : Oratthanadu Taluk, Tanjore Date of incident : 23/11/2007 Case Details:

On 23 November 2007 at around 10.00am, Kumaresan – with his friends Durairaj, Raja, and Muniaiah – were approached by SI Ravichandran and three PCs in civilian dress. The SI stated that the police had received a report that Kumaresan was brewing illicit arrack and was therefore wanted for an enquiry. The SI commanded Kumaresan to get into the police vehicle. Kumaresan replied that he knew nothing about the charge and had just come form Kerala, where he had been working. When Kumaresan refused to get into the vehicle, the SI slapped him hard on the left cheek and the PCs twisted his arms. The police then thrashed Kumaresan four times on his back. The PCs lifted Kumaresan by his hips and carried him into the car. The police also forced Muniaiah into their vehicle. The SI let Durairaj and Raja free with just a slapping. At the station, the SI made Kumaresan and Muniaiah sit inside the lockup in just their lungis.

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Kumaresan, age 27, resides at Aavandi Kollai in Oratthanadu Taluk, Tanjore District. He belongs to the Hindu Adi-Dravidar caste and earns his living through carpentry.

2007

At around 6.00pm, the police obtained Kumaresan’s and Muniaiah’s signatures in the FIR. Then they handcuffed both Kumaresan and Muniaiah, whom they then made walk through the street. Kumaresan’s relatives and acquaintances saw him walking handcuffed with the police. At around 6.45pm, the police produced Kumaresan and Muniaiah before the Magistrate Court in Pattukottai. At around 11.30pm, the court remanded Kumaresan and Muniaiah to the Sub-Jail in Pattukottai.

Tamil Nadu

On 28 November 2007, Kumaresan was released on bail. He later attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison. Kumaresan was admitted to the Government General Hospital, Pattukottai. On 29 November 2007, DSP Marudhappan and SI Ravichandran visited Kumaresan in the hospital. Also, CPCID Thiruvengadam came to the hospital, spoke with Kumaresan, and asserted that an enquiry would be conducted about the incident. The SI has refuted the allegations of torture and stated that the police had arrested Kumaresan with arrack.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

168

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Location : Date of incident :

TN/KK 46/SEPT/07 Lawrence 1) Selvaraj, HC; 2) Kannan, PI; 3) Anthonyammal, SP; 4) Babu, AS; 5) two unnamed HCs; 6) unnamed SPSI S.P. Office, Nagerkoil; Kollangodu PS 20/08/2007

Case Details: Victim Lawrence resides in Nagerkoil. On 19 August 2007, Lawrence saw a boy named Daeno, of Kaliakavilai, sitting at the Parakai Bus Stand. Daeno told Lawrence that he did not have any money to return home. Lawrence asked Daeno why he had come to Nagerkoil; Daeno responded that his father had died and that he was searching for work. Lawrence took Daeno to Lawrence’s house in his two-wheeler, agreeing to help Daeno find a job. Daeno slept at Lawrence’s house that night.

Annual Report on Torture

The next day at around 4.30am, Daeno disappeared from Lawrence’s house. Lawrence could not find his own cell phone. Lawrence searched for Daeno in nearby villages.

2007

At around 8.00am, Lawrence called his own mobile. Daeno answered, saying that he was at Kaliakavilai. Daeno told Lawrence that he could recover his cell phone by meeting a tall man in front of the R.C. Church and giving this man Rs. 200. Lawrence went to Kaliakavilai with his friend Purushuth, but there was no one at the Church. When Lawrence tried to call his mobile again, there was no answer. Lawrence filed a complaint by telephone to the police. HC Selvaraj contacted Lawrence by telephone, accusing him of abducting his son. Lawrence told the HC what had happened and went to the SP Office. There, the HC grabbed Lawrence, verbally abused him, and accused him again of abducting his son.

Later, the HC told PI Kannan about the matter. The PI called Lawrence over for questioning. At around 10.00pm, an SPSI began to abuse Lawrence. The SPSI told Lawrence to remove his shirt, and punched him in his lower abdomen. At around 12.30am, the police took Lawrence to Kollangodu PS. At 5.30am, the HC and another PC tied Lawrence to an iron door. At 7.30am, the PI questioned Lawrence as to Daeno’s whereabouts and beat him with a long baton on the legs and hands. At around 8.00pm, Lawrence’s mother and sister came to the station. The PI yelled at them and asked them if they were prostitutes. He made them sit down. At around 8.30pm, the PI collected signatures from Lawrence as well as from Lawrence’s mother and sister. He asked all three to return the next day. At 10.30pm, Lawrence and his mother and sister returned home.

Tamil Nadu

At 9.30am, Lawrence’s mother learned over the telephone of her son’s treatment.

169

On 22 August 2007 at around 7.00am, Lawrence returned to the station with his parents. He learned that the Kollangodu Police had found his cell phone. On 29 August 2007 at around 9.00pm, Lawrence went to the station with an advocate to get his cell phone back. The police asked the advocate to leave, since their enquiry was not yet finished. The HC beat Lawrence again. SP Anthonyammal also beat Lawrence. The police made Lawrence sit in a room all night. The next morning at 7.00am, SI Anthonyammal, HC Selvaraj, and two other HCs took Lawrence to his friends. On the way, HC Selvaraj beat him.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/MDU 75/OCT/07 Muthu Aruppukottai police Vilacheri, Madurai 08/09/2007

The victim Muthu, aged 21, belongs to Kal Otar community, and worked as a Coolie. On 8th September 2007, the victim went to Kalaignar Nagar to attend a wedding. Aruppukottai Police arrested Muthu and took him to the PS. Police officers interrogated him about the location of stolen jewels. The POs beat Muthu with their batons all over his body. The policemen bent his right hand, causing severe pain. Muthu cried that he did not take any jewels. Two policemen stretched both of Muthu’s legs apart, which caused a ligament tear. Then, the POs tied both of Muthu’s legs and beat him. The POs told Muthu to return the jewels. That night, POs did not give Muthu any meal. The police filed a case against Muthu for stealing jewels and sent him to Madurai Central Jail. Still the Muthu is in jail and unable to get a bail.

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/MDU 78/OCT/07 Suryan Police Officers, Thirunagar PS Madurai district 09/10/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details

170

On 9th October 2007, two Thirunagar POs went to victim Suryan’s house, arrested him, and took him to the Thirunagar PS. At the PS, the police kept Suryan in a room containing rice bags. The police handcuffed him, and hung him from a rope, tying one end of the rope on the handcuffs and another from a beam in the ceiling. As he hung there, five policemen beat the heel of Suryan’s foot and his buttocks with iron rods. They asked him how many times he had committed theft. Suryan said he had never committed a theft. The POs continued to beat him for half an hour while he was hanging. During the beatings, his left hand slipped from the cuff and Suryan injured his wrist. The next evening, the PI and SI ordered POs to tie Suryan’s thumbs together and to tie his toes together. A piece of wood was placed between his hands, and he was hung between two tables, resembling a Kaavadi. While he was tied, the police beat Suryan for an hour. The PI and SI stomped on Suryan with their boots. They told him, that if he has not stolen, to identify someone that was a thief. On 14th October 2007, a fake case for theft was filed against Suryan, and he was remanded to jail.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/MDU 79/OCT/07 Ponnusamy Police officer’s, Thallakulam PS Pudhu Makalipatti Road, Madurai 30/07/2007

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details

2007

The victim Ponnusamy, aged 50, belongs to Maravar Community. In January 2006, when Ponnusamy was taking his friend to Madurai Anna Bus stand, SI Murugesan caught Ponnusamy and his friend and put them in a police jeep. In the jeep, the SI and other officers beat Ponnusamy. The DSP intervened and told the SI to leave Ponnusamy alone. Instead, SI Murugesan and the other POs took Ponnusamy to the Thallakulam PS. There they beat Ponnusamy and told him he would only be released if he provided them brandy and Rs.1000 as bribe. After getting Rs.2000 from Ponnusamy and his friend, police released them, but ordered them to return the next day to Vilakkuthoon PS.

The next day Ponnusamy went to Vilakkuthoon PS. He was detained in the lock-up and later released. After two days, SI Murugesan called Ponnusamy over the phone and warned him that unless he brought Rs. 3200, he was going to file a false case on him.

SI Murugesan and PI Vijayakumar began threatening Ponnusamy to withdraw the case. On 21st January 2007, Ponnusamy lodged a complaint to the Superintendent of Police in the Bribe Prohibition Wing. On 30th July 2007, SI Murugesan, and some other POs took Ponnusamy to the PS. Ponnusamy was locked up and beaten with a rod. The police told Ponnusamy to remove the complaint or they would kill him and “tear him to pieces”. Police refused to provide Ponnusamy with any meals during his detention.

Tamil Nadu

Ponnusamy went to the Bribe Prohibition Wing of the Police Department and lodged a complaint to the SP. Ponnusamy called the DSP and requested he take action. The DSP called a male and female PI to get a statement from Ponnusamy and file an F.I.R. The DSP said he would make arrangements to arrest SI Murugesan, but the PIs did not take victim’s statement.

Ponnusamy’s son wrote a telegram to the Commissioner of Madurai and the Chief Minister. After Ponnusamy was released, he went straight to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital. He was admitted as an in-patient. Still, 171 when the SI sees Ponnusamy, he threatens to file a fake case against him unless he withdraws his complaint.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

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TN/MDU 84/NOV/07 R. Pandi SI, Tallakulam PS Bibikulam, Madurai 29/07/2007

The victim Pandi, aged 24, belongs to the Vannar community. Pandi’s wife stole 2 lakh rupees from her houseowner and gave it to Pandi. A complaint was lodged in the Tallakulam PS. On 29th July 2007, Pandi, Kutti and Sudhadhira were taken for inquiry. On 30th July 2007, SI Muthukumar and three other PCs took Pandi’s ATM Card from his house, went to the ATM Center and checked the balance. The balance was Rs. 2 lakhs. The police forced Pandi to go to the Indian Bank and give a letter to the manager stating that he lost his bank book. Pandi withdrew the Rs. 2 lakhs in the afternoon, immediately handing it over to the SI. On 31st July 2007, the SI asked whether Pandi deposited money anywhere else. Pandi told him that the money he earned was commingled with the Rs. 2 lakhs. SI Palanikumar and SI Muthukumar forced Pandi to face the wall and beat his buttocks with a lathi. The police took Pandi to his home and confiscated a 3sovereign gold chain, anklets, earrings, rings, a huge vessel (Anda), a ½ sovereign gold ring, and a watch. During the night at the PS, SI Palanikumar and SI Muthukumar again forced Pandi to face the wall. They repeatedly beat his legs using a lathi. Then, the SIs forced Pandi to sit down, and they beat the soles of his feet repeatedly. The police demanded to know where Pandi’s wife hid the remaining money. The officers bent

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

every finger of Pandi’s hand separately, and repeatedly punched his back. The SIs refused to provide Pandi with a meal. The police officers then went to Pandi’s house and took his TV, alleging that it was stolen. On 5th August 2007, they produced Pandi and his wife before the judge. They were remanded to Madurai Central Jail. After 36 days, Pandi was released on bail. Currently five cases were filed under Pandi’s name.

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/MDU 80/NOV/07 Valli Police, Thiruppachethi police station Vlayankulam, Madurai District 20/11/2007

172

Case Details:

Annual Report on Torture

The victim Valli, aged 25, belongs to Kal Ottar community and earns her livelihood by selling combs. A theft case was filed against her husband Valu. Fearing arrest, Valu failed to appear for his court hearing. On 20th November 2007, a team of six Thiruppachethi policemen went to Valayankulam in search of Valu. When the POs could not find Valu, they arrested Valli, his wife, her eight month-old baby, and Valli’s relatives Umayamma and Murthy. When Valli refused to get into the vehicle, the police hit her in the head with a baton. The police took Valli’s cell phone. They demanded Valu’s phone number, but Valli insisted she did not know the number. The police got furious and shouted at Valli, saying “you dogs; you have the cell phone but don’t know the number.” He again beat Valli. The police provided Valli with food, but she did not. The PO told her to feed the baby with breast milk, otherwise “let him die”. The police again asked Valli for her husband’s phone number. When she insisted she did not know it, they bent her arm, causing her to scream from pain. The PO covered her mouth with his hand.

2007

The police called Umayamma and asked for Valu’s cell-phone number. When she refused to give it, they hit her with a baton and pulled off half of her sari. Eventually, the police located Valu’s number on the cell phone. When the child started crying, POs would only give the baby salt water. The next day they took Valli to her house and told her to take extra clothes. The police then took Valli and the others to an uninhabited area near Valayankulam and told them to exit the vehicle. The police beat Valli all over her body with a baton, and demanded to know the whereabouts of her husband. Valli and the others were then taken to Thiruppachethi police station. They were fingerprinted, photographed, and then released.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/SVG 69/NOV/07 Malaichamy Sakthi, SI Sipkot PS 04/11/2007

Case Details: On 4 November 2007 at around 3.00pm, there was a fight between Valarmathi and her husband Sonaimuthu. Malaichamy tried to separate them, but Soniamuthu approached Malaichamy with a stick, so Malaichamy returned home.

Tamil Nadu

Victim Malaichamy belongs to the Hindu Chakkiliyar Community and works as a plumber at EB.

Immediately afterwards, Sonaimuthu went to Sipkot PS and lodged a complaint against Malaichamy, stating that Malaichamy had beaten him.

173

SI Sakthi arrested Malaichamy, whom he said had kidnapped Valamathi. The SI also called Maliachamy a “rogue of Kallakurichi.” At the station, the SI continued to abuse Malaichamy verbally and told him to remove his shirt. The SI beat Malaichamy with a baton on his back, thighs, and face, before locking him in a cell. Malaichamy’s left cheek was swollen. At 11.30pm, Malaichamy’s elder brother came to the station and released him by giving Rs. 500 to the police. Malaichamy was treated Dr. Sivaraj.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: : :

Location : Date of incident :

TN/CHE 92/NOV/07 Mohan 1) PI, F4 Nungambakkam PS; 2) Muthu Vel Pandi, PI, D4 Anna Salai PS; 3) unnamed POs F4 Nungambakkam PS, Chennai 11/11/2007

Case Details: Victim Mohan, of the Adi-Dravidar caste, is a student. On 11 November 2007, the police arrested him in connection with an attack on Mayura Jeyakumar, President of the Tamilnadu Youth Congress.

Annual Report on Torture

The charge against Malaichamy of abducting Valamathi is still working its way through the judicial system.

2007

When Mohan asked the reason for his arrest, the policeman replied “Do you ask for reasons, you son of a bastard [thevadiya]?” The police took Mohan by his shirt collar and put him in their vehicle. One PC hit him hard with a baton on his back, asking “Are you a big rowdy?”; the scar from this beating is still evident. The police kept asking Mohan whether he was a henchman of [known criminal] William. Along with Mohan, the police also caught William’s brother, Sahayam. Sahayam asked the police to leave Mohan alone, as he was young, but the police paid no attention.

Tamil Nadu

At 8.30pm, the police took Mohan to F4 Nungambakkam PS. One PC asked him to remove his clothes before presenting Mohan to the station PI. The PI asked Mohan whether he had gone to Sathya Moorthy Bhavan. Mohan replied that he was a student of Madras Christian College and a member of SFI, and that he had not gone to that place.

174

The PI then thrashed Mohan’s head, back, and thighs with a baton continuously for ten minutes. A PC then dragged Mohan by his hair to the prison, where another PC took Mohan’s picture. Mohan begged the police not to spoil his future by involving him in matters that he was not even aware of. The policemen responded by beating Mohan once again and by claiming that Mohan was lying. They took his fingerprints. An SI told the PI to beat Mohan with laadam kattuthal. Mohan was struck with fear and pain. At about 9.00pm, Mohan (along with others who were arrested along with him) was taken to Anna Salai PS, where PI Muthu Vel Pandi interrogated him. The PI asked Mohan to sign a blank paper; Mohan refused. The PI scolded Mohan for being stubborn and told him to remove his shirt and pants. A PC beat Mohan on his cheek. Mohan quivered with pain. The policemen told him to lay flat and beat him twenty-five times till he agreed to sign the paper. At 3.00pm, the police took Mohan to the Judge’s house. By 6.00pm, Mohan was in Puzhal Prison.

: TN/VEL 65/SEPT/07 : 1) Muniyaswamy 2) Kathirvel 3) Venkatesh Perpetrator(s) : 1) Suresh, PI, 2) Nagaraj, SI 3) Annadurai, HPC Location : Umrapath PS Date of incident : 26/08/2007 Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s)

2007

Case Details: On the night on 26th August 2007, the victims Muniyaswamy and Kathirvel heard policemen shouting their names outside their houses. The policemen went into their houses and dragged them into the police van. They were then taken to the Umrapath PS, where they were thrashed for allegedly stealing a pump from Rajendran’s farm. Victims denied stealing the pump. The POs handcuffed Muniyaswamy and Kathirvel to the jail bars and beat them. On 27th August 2007, the SI along with two other PCs made victims sit down and hit them on their thighs with their batons. They verbally abused them, calling them “bastards,” “thieves,” and “motherfuckers.” One

policeman stood on victims thighs with his boots and hit their soles more than 10 times. The police then forced victims to stand up and stretch out their hands. The police hit each of their hands five times with a baton. The policeman told victims to accept the crime, and then hit each of them with a baton 10 times on their buttocks. He left them when they cried loudly unable to stand the pain. Later in the night, another policeman kicked them with his boots and demanded to know the location of the pump.

On 28th August 2007, Muniyaswamy and Kathirvel were handcuffed and beaten during the day and night. On 30th August 2007, a group of 20 people from victims’ village went to the PS and questioned the SI as to why he had detained Muniyaswamy and Kathirvel without producing them in court. The protestors yelled slogans and raised signs. The police charged the crowd with batons and hit them. Muniyaswamy and Kathirvel were then produced before the Ambur Magistrate. Police officers threatened victims and told them not to show or speak about their injuries. They were remanded to Ambur Sub Jail.

Tamil Nadu

The next day Muniyaswamy’s brother Venkatesh and a relative of Kathirvel went to the PS with lunch. The police abused him by saying “fuck your sister, did you also go to steal?” The police took whatever money Venkatesh had in his pocket and hit him with a baton. The police forced Venkatesh to sit in the station. He was later released, but the police warned him no to tell anyone about his beating.

175

Later victims’ injuries became infected.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 95/NOV/07 C. Muthu Kumaravel, PI D1 PS, Chennai 13/10/2007

Case Details:

The next day at 8.00am, four policemen came in search of Muthu. When Muthu asked the policemen why they wanted him, they said that he had been involved in a fight on the road. At 9.00am, the policemen took Muthu to D1 PS, where PI Kumaravel insulted him and beat him with a baton on his back. Muthu repled that he had done nothing. The PI slapped Muthu hard on his left cheek, accused him of lying to the police, and told him that local people referred to him as a rowdy man. The PI then ordered Muthu to remove his lungi and shirt and to lie on his stomach on the floor. Muthu begged the PI to leave him alone, as he had done nothing wrong. The PI asked “How dare you lift up your lungi?” and violently beat Muthu on the buttocks 15 times. Muthu squirmed in pain.

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Muthu, of the Adi-Dravidar caste, is neighbours with Ramkumar. On 12 October 2007, the two men’s wives had an oral dispute, which led to the physical abuse of Muthu’s wife by Ramkumar and his wife. Muthu was furious, and later fought with Ramkumar.

2007

The PI then made Muthu sit with his back against the wall and told him to spread his legs wide. Two PCs stood on Muthu’s thighs. Muthu struggled with pain, and went unconscious. He could not move – not even to heed nature’s call. At around 2.00pm, the police provided Muthu with food, which he could not eat. Muthu’s wife arrived at the station with an advocate and spoke to the PI. The PI then lodged a complaint against Ramkumar and his wife – who later came to the police station and signed a written statement agreeing not to involve themselves in altercations in the future.

Tamil Nadu

As Muthu left the station, he could not walk, so his wife had to help him. It took nearly two weeks for Muthu to regain enough strength to walk; he was unable to work during this period. Muthu later learned that his wife had paid the PI Rs. 3,000 to set him free.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

176

: : : :

Date of incident :

TN/SVG 94/DEC/07 Muthu Pandiarajan Mayakrishnan, PC Devakottai Road, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District 10/07/2007

Case Details:

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Muthu Pandiarajan belongs to the Hindu-Pillai community. On 10th July 2007, Muthu Pandiarajan together with his friends organized a Kabaadi competition at their village. Some people made an issue because Sivagangai A.R. PC Senthil Kumar, who also is the Councilor of Amaravathi Pudhur Ward, was missing in the announcement notice distributed to the public. Unexpectedly PC Mayakrishnan, who was drunk, ventured onto the grounds where the Kabaadi competition was being held. He interrupted the referee. When Muthu Pandiarajan confronted PC Mayakrishnan for his behavior, PC Mayakrishnan threatened him by saying, “You can’t live in peace by antagonizing the police! Wait and see what I am going to do!”

2007

That night, PC Mayakrishnan, Selvam, Murugesan, Vadivel, Ananth and Edwin took Muthu Pandiarajan to the side of a tank and attacked him with sticks, steel rods and belts. Friends of Muthu Pandiarajan informed his parents, who rushed to the scene. There, they saw the police assaulting Muthu Pandiarajan. Seeing them, the police fled. Muthu Pandiarajan was lying unconscious with blood wounds all over his body. He was taken to Karaikudi Government Hospital. The Karaikudi SI was reluctant to file a case against PC Mayakrishnan. He asked Muthu Pandiarajan to compromise. However due to the intervention of Adv. Ramanan, the SI filed the case against Mayakrishnan. On 17th July 2007, a complaint was also filed to DSP regarding the same.

Case Number

: TN/SVG 16.1/FEB/07

Name of the perpetrators

: 5 policemen

Location

: Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

Date of the Incident

: 21-07-2003

Case Details: Tamil Nadu

Nizam, the victim earns his livelihood by selling peanuts on the streets of Devakottai town. 3 policemen came in an auto on 20.07.2003 at around 11.30 p.m. and asked Mohammed Ali Jinnah, (father-in-law of victim) about Nizam’s whereabouts. The police were taken to Nizam’s house and a policeman caught hold of Nizam’s neck and pushed him into the auto at around 12.10 a.m. His family was informed that he was taken to R.S.Mangalam PS. 177 Nizam was later made to board a jeep parked near Devakottai arch and his arms were handcuffed and his feet were shackled and he was made to lie in the space between the seats at the back of the jeep. Policemen yanked his hair, bent his fingers and stamped forcefully on his chest with slipper-clad feet. While assaulting him in the above-mentioned manner the policemen asked him from where he stole his gold chain, ring and the T.V set that was at his home. Although Nizam said that he was innocent and that he had obtained the said articles from selling his ancestral property to R.S.Mangalam Sathya Jewellers, the 5 policemen continued to assault him and took him to the Traveller’s Bungalow near Thondi seashore. There he was taken to an isolated room, where four policemen punched on his face and cheeks one after another.

Nizam’s ‘kaili’ and shirt were removed. Leading chains were put on his arms and legs and was dragged to the Thondi seaside, clad only in his briefs. There 2 policemen dragged him by the leading chains on his arms, while 2 others kept kicking at his thighs forcefully, with slipper clad feet. He was asked to lie on his chest and a police stamped him saying “son of a foolish Muslim pundai, tell us where you stole”. Nizam’s chest was swollen due to this and he continuously stated that he was innocent. Then Nizam was again brought to the Traveller’s Bungalow, where he was asked to put on his ‘kaili’ and shirt. Then, he was taken to Thondi police station, where he was beaten with lathi for around 15 minutes and tortured

Annual Report on Torture

Nizam was interrogated in the said place and he was stamped on the chest and punched near his earsleaving his left ear bleeding. A policeman also stamped on Nizam’s genital organ and threatened him to confess the theft. Nizam felt unconscious after this and was woken up by the police at 5.00 am on 21-07-2003. When Nizam said that the gold chain and ring that he was wearing and Rs.650/- were missing, the policemen beat him up asking if he was calling them thieve and also abused him verbally by saying, “Son of a prostitute! Son of a thieving ‘pundai!” and was again thrashed badly.

2007

Tamil Nadu

on the veranda of the police station with handcuffs and shackles on his feet. Policemen of Thondi asked Nizam the name of the person to whom he had sold his land and they threatened to beat him to death if they found that he had lied. He was not provided with any food or water until that time. A constable came to him at 10.30 a.m. on 21.07.2003 and said, “We called the jewellery shop owner Sathya and asked him. He has said that he was the one, who gave you money. So, we are setting you free. You shouldn’t tell anyone about what happened to you here. If you disobey, we’ll foist case and imprison you,” after which he got Nizam’s signature on a white paper and sent him out. Abdul Hameed, a person related to Nizam noticed Nizam standing on the veranda of Thondi police station and asked him why he was standing there. The policemen, who saw this said to Abdul Hameed, “we have handed over Nizam to you” and got his signature on a paper.

Nizam received treatment from a private practitioner, Dr. Ezhumalai. He got admitted on 22.07.2003 at Devakottai Government Hospital and received treatment. The next day, on 23.07.2003, a news report of the attack was 178 published in an evening newspaper and at night around 8.00pm policemen from Devakottai Town Police Station came there in the evening, asked for the details of the incident and got his statement.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/KK 42/SEPT/07 : P. Jeenyth Labbai : 1) Rajaram, SI; 2) Birang D. Ruben, PI; 3) Unnamed PCs Location : Puthukadai PS Date of incident : 26/08/2007 Case Details:

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Jeenyth, a Muslim, resides at Karuthavettu Vilagam, Kadakarai Salai, Thengapatinam Post, 629 173. He worked as a meat cutter at a butcher shop in Thengapatinam.

2007

On 28 August 2007 at around 10.00pm, while Jeenyth was waiting at the Thengapatinam bus stand, SI Rajaram, along with seven PCs from the Puthukadai PS (all uniformed), arrived in a van. The PCs forced Jeenyth into their van and took him to the police station. On the way there, three PCs kicked Jeenyth regularly. On arriving at the station, the police dragged Jeenyth inside and forced him to remove his shirt and stand at the back of the station. At 12.00pm, the SI threatened to torture Jeenyth unless he admitted to stealing a television and DVD player from the Primary Health Centre at Thengapatinam. Jeenyth refused to confess, so the SI handcuffed him and began to beat him with a baton on his head, shoulders, and neck.

The next morning at 5.00am, Jeenyth awoke to realise that he was unconsciously urinating. He had pain all over his body. The SI regularly returned to the room and thrashed Jeenyth. At 12.00pm, the SI and four unnamed PCs hung Jeenyth upside-down from the ceiling with his legs tied together. The SI and two PCs thrashed him with batons on his back, thighs, chest and elsewhere for about half an hour. When the police let Jeenyth down, they gagged him with a cloth before punching him.

The next morning at 8.00am, PI Birang D. Ruben arrived and asked Jeenyth for his elder brother’s cell phone number. Jeenyth replied that he was not on good terms with his brother did not know his number. The PI got Jeenyth’s brother’s number from someone else and asked him to come to the station. At 9.30am, Jeenyth’s brother came to the police station. The PI told him that Jeenyth had refused to confess to stealing the television and DVD player.

Tamil Nadu

The police made Jeenyth stand all night long, so he could not sleep.

179

Later that day, Jeenyth paid Rs 500 as a fine to the Court and was released.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/CHE 115/NOV/07 : Palani : 1) Unnamed SI; 2) Unnamed PCs Location : Uthukottai PS Date of incident : 07/10/2007

Victim Palani lived with his parents. On 7 October 2007 at around 3.45am, two policemen woke him and took him to an SI who was waiting outside. The SI struck Palani’s cheeks repeatedly. The other two policemen then grabbed Palani by his shirt collar and stamped on his lower abdomen with booted feet; Palani’s abdomen began to bleed. A PC punched Palani in the jaw and brow. Palani almost fainted. The police told Palani to remove his shirt and tied his hands. On hearing the noise, Palani’s mother came outside. She begged the police to leave Palani alone, but the police ignored her. Palani asked permission to wear his undergarments. One of the PCs insulted Palani by telling him that he lay with his mother without wearing undergarments.

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

The police dragged Palani through the street to a TATA SUMO vehicle, where they beat him repeatedly. The PCs struck his jaw, neck, thighs, and back. Palani began to faint. At 5.45am, the police took Palani to Uthukottai PS, where a PC undressed him. Palani had to remain naked for approximately eight hours in the station. At 2.00pm, the police gave Palani a cloth. A female police officer asked him questions about the dowry he had obtained from his wife, and about the video coverage of his wedding. She forced him to sign a blank paper.

Tamil Nadu

At 4.00pm, the police brought Palani to the court. He was jailed in Thiruvalluyar District, but later transferred to Puzhal Jail to receive better medical care.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

180

: : : : :

TN/KK 52/OCT/07 Parthiban Unnamed POs Vadacheri PS, Panakudi 26/08/2007

Case Details: Victim Parthiban resides in Panakudi. On 26 August 2007, Parthiban went to get medicine from the Asaripalayam Medical College Hospital. After getting the medicine, Parthiban went to meet his friend Ashokan, and both of them went to have breakfast at a nearby restaurant. At the restaurant, Parthiban and Ashokan quarrelled with the owner of the premises. Emergency police arrived and arrested the owner, Prathiban, and Ashokan. The police brought the three men to the Vadacheri PS. There, an SI questioned all three. The SI beat Parthiban and asked why he had come all the way from Panakudi just to cause trouble. An HC tied Parthiban’s hands and took him into the next room.

Annual Report on Torture

The police released the restaurant owner.

2007

At 1.30pm, a PI and three PCs beat Parthiban with batons. They verbally abused him and accused him of theft. They then untied Parthiban and compelled him to provide his fingerprints. Three CCS PCs then questioned Parthiban. They tied his legs and beat him. The police compelled Parthiban to confess [falsely] that he had stolen from the Titan Watch Showroom.

FF Code

: TN/SVG 87/NOV/07

Victim(s) : Pisthami Perpetrator(s) : Radhakrsihnan, PI Location : Keezhakarai PS, Ramanathapuram District Date of incident : 25/11/2007 Case Details: In the second week of November 2007, one of Pisthami’s relatives, Ashique (of Keezhakarai, Ramanathapuram District) eloped with a married mother of two named Rahmat Nisha after an illicit relationship. On 23 November 2007 at around 6.30pm, two policemen from Keezhakarai PS took Pisthami into custody under the pretext of an enquiry into Ashique’s elopement.

Tamil Nadu

Victim Pisthami is a 12th standard level student.

181

At the station, PI Radhakrishnan was drunk, smoking a cigarette, and out of uniform. He locked Pisthami inside a room with no food. At 2.00am, the PI sent Pisthami home, demanding that he return at 8.00am. At 8.00am, Pisthami and his mother went to the station. As the PI was absent, they had to wait. At around 12.00pm, the PI arrived and began to interrogate Pisthami as to Ashique’s whereabouts. During the interrogation, the PI beat Pisthami with a baton on his upper right arm and back. Unable to endure the pain, Pisthami cried. The PI told Pisthami to return home and to come back to the station at 7.00pm.

The PI detained Pisthami all night without any food. On 25 November 2007 at around 2.00pm, the PI made Pisthami sign two blank sheets of paper and sent him home. Due to the beating, Pisthami was in considerable pain all night. On 26 November 2007, Pisthami was admitted to the Ramanathapuram Government Hospital as an inpatient. He received treatment.

Annual Report on Torture

At around 7.30pm, Pisthami returned to the station. There, the PI threatened him by saying that if he failed to provide information about Ashique, the PI would beat him to death. Pisthami replied, “I promise by Allah! I don’t know Sir!” The PI became furious and started to abuse Pisthami verbally, saying “You thulukka pundai magane! You son of a Muslim Pundai!” The PI then thrashed Pisthami with a baton all over his body. Pisthami fell down. The PI stamped on Pisthami’s chest with booted feet and continued to assault him brutally. Pisthami sustained injuries to his left shoulder, back, and chest.

2007

At around 5.00pm, SI Sekar, HC Baskaran, and two other PCs came to the hospital and asked for a compromise. They insisted that the matter could be solved amicably at the Keezhakarai DSP Office by 5.00pm on 27 November 2007. On 27 November 2007, Pisthami was discharged from the Hospital.

Tamil Nadu

FF Code : TN/KK 54/OCT/07 Victim(s) : Rajan Perpetrator(s) : 1) Sonaimuthu, PI; 2) Michael, HC, CCS PS; 3) unnamed PC Location : Vadacheri PS, Tuovalai Taluk, Kanyakumari Date of incident : 23/07/2007

182

Case Details: Victim Rajan resides at Temple Street, Thovalai Post, Thovalai Taluk, Kanyakumari. On 23 July 2007 at around 4.00pm, Rajan was waiting at the Nagerkoil Vadacheri Bus Stand to take a bus to Thovalai after his work in Kerala. At the Bus Stand, HC Michael and another PC beat Rajan and took him to the CCS PS in Nagerkoil. At the station, the HC took a golden ornament that Rajan had bought as a gift for his son, as well as the receipt for the ornament. The HC grabbed Rajan’s neck and pushed him down. The HC asked Rajan if he had has stolen jewellery in Tamil Nadu and then sold it in Kerala. The two officers removed Rajan’s pants and shirt, and made him sit in a room behind the station wearing only his underwear. The HC made Rajan stand and handcuffed him to a window. At around 9.00pm, he brought Rajan to see the PI, who beat Rajan several times. Rajan’s hand was injured, and his middle fingernail oozed blood. The PI locked Rajan in a cell and departed. Rajan could not sleep all night long because of pain and hunger.

Annual Report on Torture

The next morning at 7.00am, the PI called for Rajan. The PI asked some PCs to file a case against Rajan before releasing him.

2007

The police filed charges (Crime No. 275/2007) under sections 392 and 506(II). They produced Rajan before the Criminal Judicial Magistrate (II), Nagercoil. At 3.30pm, Rajan was incarcerated at the Nagerkoil Sub-Jail.

FF Code Victim(s)

: TN/VEL 86/NOV/07 : 1) Rajendran; 2) Murugan; 3) Arunachalam Perpetrator(s) : Solomon Raja, SI Location : Valaja PS Date of incident : 07/09/2007

Victim Rajendran, age 41, belongs to the Vanniyar community and resides in Alanthalai Village, Vellore. Rajendran had a property dispute with one Perumal, who assaulted him. On 2 July 2007, Rajendran lodged a complaint against Perumal at the Valaja PS.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

183

One week later, SI Solomon Raja called Rajendran and Perumal, with their relatives (including Rajendran’s brothers, victims Murugan and Arunachalam) for arbitration at the police station. There, the SI asked them to sign a written document stating that they would go amicably. All of the men refused to sign. The SI sent everyone outside except Murugan and Arunachalam. The SI told both men to take off everything but their underwear before making Murugan and Arunachalam face the wall with their hands in the air. The SI beat Murugan and Arunachalam with a baton on their backs and buttocks. Both men cried out in pain. The SI asked Murugan and Arunachalam if they were ready to compromise and called them “sons of bitches.” Then the SI made Murugan and Arunachalam lie down, and beat both men on the soles of their feet. Rajendran asked the SI why he was beating Murugan and Arunachalam. The SI grabbed Rajendran, made him stand against a wall, and beat his back and buttocks. Rajendran screamed in pain. The SI ordered Rajendran to shut his mouth and to withdraw his complaint against Perumal. Fearing more abuse, Rajendran and his brothers withdrew their complaint. The SI told them not to go to any hospital for any treatment.

One week later, the SI called both parties (including Rajendran, Murugan, and Arunachalam) to the station and told them to compromise. Rajendran and his brothers refused. The police kept then at the station all day, without providing lunch. At around 5.30pm, the SI came to Rajendran, who was sitting down on the ground, and shouted at him to withdraw his case. When Rajendran refused, the SI became furious and asked Rajendran if he was a big rowdy. The SI started to beat Murugan and Arunahclaam. Rajendran’s sisters-in-law arrived at the station, where the SI called them “bitches.”

Annual Report on Torture

On 7 September 2007 at around 6.30pm, there was a squabble between Arunachalam and Perumal’s wife.

2007

The SI collected signatures from the members of both parties to the dispute and sent them home. A few days later, Rajendran’s relatives were Perumal’s relatives. At the time of the fact-finding, Murugan was undergoing medical treatment at the hospital. No action had been taken by the police.

TN/SVG 58/SEPT/07 Rajani Rajesh, SI, Mana Madurai Mana Madurai Nagar, Sivagangai District Date of incident : 10/08/2007

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

184

: : : :

Case Details: Victim Rajani, a Christian, works as a coolie. On 10 August 2007 at 9.00am, SI Rajesh came to Rajani’s house and informed him that someone named Mari from the Burma Colony had lodged a complaint against Rajani, alleging that Rajani had abducted his daughter Maheswari. The SI took Rajani to the police station, where he made Rajani take off his shirt and sit in a cell. At around 10.00am, the SI asked Rajani again about Maheswari. As before, Rajani denied Mari’s accusations. The SI responded by beating Rajani with a baton on his hands and back. The SI threatened to file a case against Rajani and to detain him permanently if he did not tell the truth. The SI then beat Rajani’s legs; Rajani cried out in pain.

Annual Report on Torture

Later, Rajani’s parents arrived at the station with a BJP Party Member and requested that the SI leave Rajani alone. The SI responded by yelling, and continued to beat Rajani with a baton on his hands and legs. Rajani’s mother fell at the SI’s feet, but he did not listen to her.

2007

The SI asked Rajani’s wife about Maheswari; Rajani’s wife responded that Rajani had concealed Maheswari but that she could produce Maheswari before 6.00pm the next day. The SI then told Rajani that he would let him go for his wife’s sake, but demanded a written statement that Rajani would bring Maheswari to the station the following morning. The SI threatened to imprison Rajani’s whole family if he failed to appear the next day. The next day, Rajani, his wife, his parents, and Maheswari went to the station. The SI cancelled Mari’s charge against Rajani, and let Rajani go with a warning.

: TN/CHE 111/NOV/07 : Rathinam : 1) P.S. Manohar, PI; 2) Ram Mohan, SI; 3) Varadhan, PC; 4) unnamed POs Location : Madhavaram PS, Chennai Date of incident : 08/08/2007

Case Details: Victim Rathinam, of the Adi-Dravidar caste, used to sell arrack in the Madhavaram area. After he stopped, despite telling the police that he was now working legitimately as a porter, the police continued to disturb him, often asking for bribes and filing cases against him. Once, PC Varadhan of Madhavaram PS told Rathinam to start selling arrack again and to give him some of the profits – or the PC would reopen the previous cases against Rathinam.

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

185

On 8 August 2007 at around 2.00pm, the PC came to Rathinam’s house and told him that an arrest warrant had been issued against him. The PC demanded a Rs. 2000 bribe if Rathinam wanted to avoid arrest. Rathinam responded that he did not have that much money and told the PC that he was at his mercy. At about 12.00am, a police officer awoke Rathinam, telling him that Sub-PI Ram Mohan wanted to see him outside. When Rathinam came outside, the SI asked him if he was involved in selling arrack. Rathinam replied that he had stopped that business, and was now employed as a porter. The SI responded by slapping Rathinam’s cheeks and saying “Son of a bastard [thevadiya], you are lying” before taking Rathinam to the police station. At the station, the SI interrogated Rathinam (in the PC’s presence) about the arrack business; Rathinam responded again that he was now employed as a porter.

The next morning at 10.00am, PI P.S. Manohar came to the station and interrogated Rathinam about the arrack business. The PI beat Rathinam with a baton on his back. He then told Rathinam to stretch out his hands, which he beat. At around 12.00pm, V.K. Palani Samy, Secretary of the Worker’s Association, helped to secure Rathinam’s release from the police station.

Annual Report on Torture

The police then beat Rathinam with a baton on his back and stripped him to his underwear. They made him lie down. Two PCs held his hands and legs while the SI beat Rathinam’s buttocks and legs. The police then locked Rathinam in a cell.

2007

FF Code : Victim(s) : Perpetrator(s) : Location

:

Date of incident :

TN/TAN 45/DEC/07 C. Ravi 1) Thangavel, PI; 2) Silambu Selvan, HC; 3) Muthusamy, HC; 4) Tamilselvi, SI Needamangalam PS, Tiruvarur District 05/03/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details: Victim Ravi, age 26, is a member of the Hindu Kuravar Community (Scheduled Caste). He resides in Kottaiyur Village, Needamangalam Post, Tiruvarur District. He earns his living by selling salt in the street.

On 1 March 2007 at about 10.00pm, SI Tamilselvi came to Ravi’s house in a jeep, accompanied by other PCs from Needamangalam PS. The SI asked Ravi to come to the police station for an enquiry, promising to 186 send him back soon afterwards. Ravi asked why, and the SI replied that there was nothing to worry and asked Ravi to come to the station. Without waiting for Ravi’s response, the police dragged Ravi to the jeep forcibly and took him to the station. At the station, PI Thangavel and HCs Silambu Selvan and Muthusamy were present. The PI was busy interrogating Ramakrishnan, Kennady, and Thiruvadi Siva in connection with a theft on 9 January 2007 at the house of one Gothandaraman. The PI called Ravi over, slapped his cheeks forcefully, and insulted him with vulgar caste-related terms like “kora payale.” The HCs thrashed Ravi with iron-edged batons all over his body so that Ravi bled. Meanwhile, the police asked Ravi to confess to the theft at Gothandaraman’s house and to identify the person to whom he had given the stolen golden ornaments worth about Rs. 45,000. Ravi insisted that he knew nothing about the theft. The police stripped Ravi half-naked and tied his hands behind him with his towel. The SI thrashed Ravi repeatedly with a baton on the backs of his legs. Unable to bear the pain, Ravi screamed and fell down. The SI stamped on Ravi’s abdomen, insisting that he confess to the theft.

Annual Report on Torture

Similar treatment continued until 12.00am.

2007

For five days, until 5 March 2007, the police took Ravi to different places and tortured him similarly. They stripped him naked, handcuffed him, and kept him without food or water. Ravi sustained injuries all over his body. The police filed a false charge of theft against Ravi, remanded him before the Mannargudi Judicial Magistrate Court, and sent him to Central Prison, Trichirapalli. Ravi was admitted at the prison hospital, then at the Government Hospital (Trichy), and finally at the Thanjavur Medical College Government Hospital for treatment. Ravi is now permanently disabled. His kidney does not function properly, and he cannot work for a living. On 21 August 2007, the RDO conducted an enquiry into Ravi’s case. Ravi also filed a complaint with the District Collector, the DSP (Tiruvarur), the CM’s Special Cell, and the NHRC.

FF Code : Victim(s) : Perpetrator(s) : Location : Date of incident :

TN/KK 48/SEPT/07 Ravi 1) KK200, PC; 2) KK880, PC; 3) Thambithurai, PI Kulasekaram PS 27/08/2007

Victim Ravi is a resident of Salaiah Street, Aramannnam, Serupalur Post-629. He won the Congress Party nomination as a candidate for the Panchayat election and then won election as a Member. He was also a monthly salaried employee at the Coca Cola Company. On 27 August 2007 at 7.00pm, when Ravi was at home, one Sasi told him that someone had beaten a man Kumarasamy, who was now unconscious. Ravi and Sasi went to the spot to find that Kumarasamy was indeed unconscious and surrounded by his neighbours. Ravi questioned the neighbours, and Kumarasamy was taken to the hospital.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

187

A police vehicle arrived. PC KK200 emerged and grabbed Ravi’s collar. He struck Ravi’s back, asking Ravi if he was the MLA in that area. The PC demanded that Ravi come to the police station, where he threatened Ravi. At around 8.30pm, Prema Jayan (President, Thirparapu Town Panchayat), George (Vice-President), and Sekar (Member for the 10th Ward) came to the police station. PI Thambithurai told them not to enter, as Ravi was a criminal. When the three tried to get food to Ravi, the PI became irritated. He told them that it was a punishment for the Ravi to remain hungry and prevented them from providing Ravi with the food. At around 10.00pm, the police gave Ravi was given two newspapers and told him to sleep on them.

At around 2.00am, PCs KK880 and KK200 woke Ravi with their batons. PC KK200 slapped Ravi’s face. Ravi cried out, so PC KK880 held Ravi’s mouth shut with his hand. Then both PCs struck Ravi with their batons on his hands, legs, back, and ribs. After beating him for forty-five minutes, the police stopped. Later that day, Ravi’s relatives arrived at the station with Panchayat Members and Political Heads. They tried to negotiate Ravi’s release, but the police did not let Ravi go until 12.00pm. Ravi’s relatives took him to the hospital. At around 2.00pm, Ravi appeared before the Magistrate, who filed a case against him and ordered him to the hospital.

Annual Report on Torture

At around 11.30pm, Ravi’s brother came to the station, but the PI sent him away.

2007

FF Code

: TN/SVG 86/NOV/07

Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: Sadhanandam : 1) Malairajan, PI : Kallal PS, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District. : 01/12/2007

Tamil Nadu

Date of incident

Annual Report on Torture

188

2007

Case Details: Victim Sadhanadam, age 32, belongs to the Christian Nadar Community and earns his living by working as contract labourer at the Kallal Electricity Board. On 30 November 2007, a woman named Kannaki called Sadhanadam to fix a motor. As Sadhanandam was busy, he tokd Kannaki to ask Saravan and Karappu to do the work. On 1 December 2007, Kannaki informed Sadhanadam that the motor’s nameplate was missing and that she was going to file a complaint with the police. At around 7.30pm, the HC of Kallal PS called Sadhanadam by telephone and told him that PI Malairajan wanted to meet him. At around 8.00pm, Sadhanadam arrived at the station. The PI was absent, so an officer asked Sadhanandam to return at 9.00pm. After an hour, Sadhanandam returned to the station with other people who had been summoned, including Azhagar, Shankar, Ravi, Singamuthu, and Nacchiappan (a foreman). They found the PI in a drunken state. Nacchiappan asked the PI why he had summoned them all to the station. The PI replied “Are you a bigwig just because you are an EB foreman?” and threatened to detain all of the men in the station. The PI then took Sadhanandam to the other side of the room and made him sit half-naked. The PI sent the other men away, saying that he would return Sadhanandam after an enquiry. The PI did not ask Sadhanandam any other questions. At around 12.30pm, the PI and an SI took Sadhanandam in a jeep to Satharasambatti in order to find Karuppu and Saravanan. The police took all three men to Kallal PS for further interrogation. Officers took all three men’s signatures, fingerprints, and details. They permitted Karuppu and Saravan to leave. The PI told Sadhanandam that he was being arrested on the basis of a complaint by Kallan AE Subramanian that an HD line for which he was responsible had twice gone missing in Sembanur Meenakshipuram. The PI told Sadhanadam that he must confess that he had taken the line and sold it. Sadhanadam refused to admit to the charge. The PI responded by twisting Sadhanandam’s hands. Sadhanandam screamed in pain, and the PI scolded him for shouting. The PI then stood on Sadhanandam’s thighs with booted feet for about twenty minutes. Unable to bear the pain, Sadhanadam screamed. The PI told Sadhanandam to jump up. Sadhanandam could not; he fell at the PI’s feet, crying and pleading to be let go, as his son was unwell. At 4.30pm, the PI let Sadhanandam leave the station after signing a blank paper. The PI told Sadhanandam to return at 8.00am the next day, and threatened him with imprisonment if he sought treatment at a hospital.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/TIR 26/JUNE/07 : Sargunam : 1) Tuticorin PO, 2) Rameswaram PO, Location : Tuticorine Central PS Date of incident : 22/03/2007

Victim Sargunam, a member of Thevar Community, and his wife Jacqueline, a member of the Dalit fisherman community, are LIC agents. Kesavan Chettiyar, who is from Rameswaram and previously forwarded loan cases to Sargunam, filed a forgery case against Sargunam in Rameswaram court for an allegedly forged cheque in the amount of one lakh rupees. On the morning of 22nd March 2007, Kesavan Chettiyar, his son Murugan, a Tuticorin police officer, a Rameswaram police officer, and Kesavan’s lawyer Ramamurthy went to Sargunam’s house.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

189

They asked Sargunam to step out from his house, but he refused. Ramamuthy gained entry in to the house and kicked Sargunam in the chest. Murugan and Kesavan beat Sargunam on his face. However, Sargunam managed to push them out and closed the door. Sargunam telephoned his lawyer Mr. Bosco and reported the incident. But shortly after, the police officers arrested and handcuffed Sargunam. The police officers forced Sargunam to walk to the PS. On the way, they punched Sargunam several times. When Sargunam told the police that he had a heart condition, they replied that they would beat other parts of his body. The police officers demanded Rs.50, 000, or said they would kill Sargunam within 2 months.

Around 11.30pm, Sargunam was taken to the Rameshwaram PS. He was stripped naked and kept in lockup. The police ridiculed Sargunam, stating that he looked like a eunuch and that his penis was small. Then, one of the PCs grabbed Sargunam by his hair and smashed his head against the wall. Another PC verbally attacked the caste of Sargunam’s wife, stating “I know that your wife is a prostitute; if some one gives her Rs.500/- she will sleep with him; because, she belongs to fisherman community (Dalit).” Ramamurthy, who is a member of BJP Party, threatened to file a case against Sargunam and allege that Sargunam is a terrorist who went to bomb Rameswaram.

Annual Report on Torture

At the station, Sargunam saw Kesavan Chettiyar seated in a chair. Three police PCs beat Sargunam. Then the sub-PI and four PCs grabbed Sargunam and pushed him into a van. In the van, Sargunam was forced to sit between two seats while one of the PCs sat on his head. Murugan grabbed Sargunam’s legs while another police PC hit his stomach. When the vehicle stopped at Attapuram corner, Kesavan beat Sargunam’s face. Others in the van threatened to shoot Sargunam. As the vehicle continued, Ramamurthy, Kesavan Chettiyar and Murugan continued torturing Sargunam.

2007

In the morning, the police took Sargunam to the magistrate. The police told Sargunam not to talk about his treatment. But Sargunam told the judge what happened. The Judge ordered an enquiry and told the police take Sargunam to the hospital in the Madurai jail. But the police first took him to Rameswaram Governmental hospital. There, the doctor told the police to take Sargunam to Ramanathapuram hospital. Accordingly, police took him to that hospital. The doctor tested him and told him to stay in the hospital and have treatment. But instead, the police took Sargunam to Madurai Government hospital at around 1.30 a.m. That night, Sargunam’s wife and his advocate came with the bail order. The next day morning Sargunam was released. Sargunam went to Madurai high court and obtained a warrant relaxation certificate.

: TN/VEL 66/SEPT/07 : 1) Savithri; 2) S. Dhanam : 1) Saraswathy, SI; 2) unnamed POs Location : K.V. Kuppam PS Date of incident : 02/09/07

Tamil Nadu

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

190

Case Details: Victim Savithri is sixteen years old. On 28 August 2007, Savithri went to take part in her cousin’s marriage. During a power cut at the function, the bride’s jewellery went missing. Everyone in the hall except the bridegroom’s family was searched, but nothing was found. The next day, Savithri’s uncle Prakash called Savithri, accused of her taking the jewellery, and demanded that she return it. As a result of this accusation, Savithri’s mother, Dhanam, ended up in a fight with her relatives. Savithri’s father, unable to bear the insults, hit Savithri and attempted to commit suicide by drinking poison; he was later admitted to a hospital at Arambakum.

Annual Report on Torture

Savithri went and stayed with her sister at Kousampattu.

2007

On 1 September 2007, the police asked Savithri to report to the K.V. Kuppam PS. There, a female SI asked her where she had hidden the jewellery. When Savithri responded that she had no idea what had happened to the jewellery, the SI slapped her on her jaw and pinched her cheeks. The SI hit Savithri with a huge log on her hands. When Savithri cried in pain, the SI pinched her thighs. The SI made Savithri lie down. A policeman stood on Savithri’s thighs and thrashed her feet. Savithri suffered similar treatment until 6.30pm. At 6.30pm, the police let Savithri go home after asking her brother-in-law to get her some food and demanding that she return the next day at 9.00am. Savithri went to her sister’s house, and then to a local hospital to get medical for her pain.

The next day, Savithri, Dhanam, and Savithri’s brother-in-law returned to the station. The police called Dhanam in first. Savithri could hear Dhanam being beaten and insulted as “a dog” and “a devil.” At 5.30pm, the police released all three detainees and demanded that they return the next morning. On 3 September 2007, Savithri, Dhanam, and Savithri’s brother-in-law sat outside the station while one of their relatives negotiated with the police. The DSP arrived, and SI Saraswathy asked Savithri if she had been tortured. Out of fear, Savithri and her relatives have not lodged a complaint.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 96/NOV/07 Sekhar 1) Radhakrishnan, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Villivakkam D1 PS, Chennai 12/10/2007

Tamil Nadu

SI Saraswathy has written in her report that she acted on a complaint from one Subramanium that he saw Savithri taking the missing jewels.

191

Case Details:

On 12 October 2007 at 5.00am, Sekhar went to the harbour to perform his usual work. He had returned home and was having food when three policemen from Villivakkam PS arrived and asked his wife to see him. Sekhar’s wife replied that Sekhar was eating, but the police responded that the matter was urgent. Sekhar came outside, where a PC hit him hard in the neck. The police took Sekhar to Villivakkam D1 PS. The PI was absent, but SI Radhakrishnan was on-site. The SI asked Sekhar where he had been on 10 October 2007, to which Sekhar replied that he had been in Villivakkam. The SI told Sekhar that he was lying, and hit Sekhar’s nose with his baton. The SI accused Sekhar of performing a gang theft at a house in Madavaram, Kamarajar Nagar. Sekhar responded that he had stopped stealing and was now working as a porter, and asked not to be accused falsely. The SI kicked Sekhar in the abdomen. Sekhar lost his balance and sat down, unable to bear the pain. The SI commanded him to stand, using abusive words such as “son of a bastard [thevadiya].” Sekhar struggled to stand. The SI then told him to remove his clothes and stand in his underwear.

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Sekhar was engaged in stealing iron with his friends for ten years, during which he was arrested and jailed three times. However, after his marriage, Sekhar stopped stealing and sought to lead a normal life. However, the police would not leave him alone, arresting him whenever there was a case of theft and often forcing him to admit to false charges. The PI never listened when Sekhar protested that he had stopped stealing.

2007

The SI then told Sekhar to lie down. Two PCs held Sekhar’s arms, and another two held his legs. The SI then began to beat Sekhar’s buttocks with his baton, asking him who was involved in the theft, and where the stolen items were. Sekhar replied that even if the police beat him to death, he would not confess. The SI then said “I know how to get the truth from you” and began to beat Sekhar’s feet. Sekhar struggled. It was now 12.00pm. The SI ordered the PCs to bind Sekhar in chains. They tied his right leg with a chain and attached the chain to the door of a prisoner’s cell.

Tamil Nadu

At 3.00pm, the police prepared a charge sheet that they asked Sekhar to sign. They took Sekhar to Pookadai Court and brought him before a judge. At around 6.00pm, the police locked Sekhar in Chennai Puzhal Jail. After thirteen days, his wife released him on bail.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

192

: : : : :

TN/KK 55/OCT/2007 Sela Raj Ashokan, PI CCS PS, Kottaru 07/10/2007

Case Details: Victim Sela Raj is an auto driver who resides at 173, Sagotharar Street, Nagerkoil Village, Agastheswaram Taluk, Kanya Kumari. On 7 October 2007 at around 11.00pm, Sela Raj and his friend Rethinakumar were quarrelling in Sela Raj’s auto. PI Ashokan arrived with two uniformed PCs. They verbally abused Sela Raj and Rethinakumar. The police also beat Sela Raj’s shoulder. Even though Sela Raj and Rethinakumar told the police several times that they had been quarreling for fun, the PI took both men to the CCS PS. At the station, the police released Rethinakumar but detained Sela Raj.

Annual Report on Torture

The police told Sela Raj to remove all of his clothes before beating him until 1.30am. The PI hit Sela Raj with a baton on his hands; Sela Raj’s wrist and left hand were injured and swollen. The PI and the PCs slapped Sela Raj’s ears until he could not hear properly. The PI punched Sela Raj’s nose. Sela Raj fainted.

2007

The next day at around 8.00am, Sela Raj awoke. He asked the PI to take him to the hospital. Instead, the PI threatened him. The PI filed a case against Sela Raj (Crime No. 956/2007) under section 384. The police produced Sela Raj before the Nagerkoil Magistrate Court. The judge asked Sela Raj whether he had been beaten up by the police. In fear, Sela Raj replied that he had not been beaten. The judge imposed a fifteen-day detention order. The police took Sela Raj to Nagakovil Sub-Jail. On 12 October 2007, Sela Raj was released on bail.

FF Code : Victim(s) : Perpetrator(s) : Location : Date of incident:

TN/CHE 71/AUG/07 Selvan; Prakash Unnamed POs Puthuperukulathur PS, Chennai 28/08/2007

Victim Selvan had been involved in some drunken altercations; some considered him a rowdy person, and he had been the subject of at least one previously filed complaint. Selvan’s father has stated that on 22 March 2007, one of Selvan’s friends quarrelled with another man; Selvan stepped in, and the argument grew large. The Puthuperukulathur Police came looking for Selvan, but Selvan had obtained an anticipatory bail. Later that evening, the Puthuperukulathur Police threatened Selvan’s family members. The police also arrested Selvan’s father and elder brother, Prakash. They detained Prakash for a week, during which time they kicked him with booted feet and thrashed him with a baton on his hip, back, and elsewhere. After this incident, Selvan’s father was afraid to send his son outside.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

193

Selvan’s father lodged a complaint with the Citizens for Human Rights Movement; the Movement circulated his complaint at the state and national levels. However, the police then threatened Selvan’s family with arrest unless they withdrew the complaint. On 24 March 2007, a female police officer beat Selvan’s mother and wife. On 26 August 2007 at 7.00pm, Selvan went outside and did not return home. The next day, his parents enquired after him at the nearby police station.

At the station, Selvan’s parents saw Selvan locked up and in handcuffs. His lips, cheeks, and forehead were swollen, and his body was injured all over. When Selvan’s parents asked the reason for his arrest, the police replied that Selvan had caused a nuisance and was found roaming around girls. The police added that Selvan’s parents had brought him up wrongly. Selvan appeared in court later that day, and was then jailed for four days. The last time that his parents saw him, Selvan was hanging upside down, wearing the same shirt and pants as before. Selvan’s family was so emotionally traumatised that they decided to commit suicide by consuming pesticide. Another complaint has been filed with the Citizens for Human Rights Movement.

Annual Report on Torture

On 28 August 2007 at about 11.00am, Selvan’s parents received a phone call from Puthuperukulathur PS, asking them to come to the station.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/CHE 100/NOV/07 : Senthil : 1) Rangarajan, PI; 2) unnamed PCs Location : Koratur T3 PS, Chennai Date of incident : 14/09/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details: Victim Senthil, of the Vanniyar caste, was working as a JCB machine driver for Nagarajan of Annanagar. The dead body of a youth was found in which he had loaded sand from Thirumalai Nagar, Koratur Agraharam, near Ambathur.

194

On the date of the incident, at 5.00am, about 6 policemen and Nagarajan came to his house. The police dragged Mr. Senthil into their vehicle. At the police station at 6.00am, PI Rangarajan interrogated Senthil and demanded that he tell the truth. Senthil replied that he did not know anything. The PI became furious. He took a baton and started to beat Senthil brutally: he thrashed Senthil repeatedly on his head, back, hands, elbows, and thighs. The PI told Senthil to remove his shirt and dhoti, and made him lie down. PCs held Senthil’s hands and legs while the PI thrashed his buttocks severely with a baton. The PI told Senthil, while thrashing his feet, to confess to the murder. Senthil quivered and screamed with pain. The PI then asked Senthil to sit leaning against a wall; a PC stood on his thighs while the PI thrashed his feet again. The PI repeatedly demanded that Senthil confess to the crime. At 9.00am, the PI told Senthil to kneel down on the veranda in his underwear. He then spread solid salt particles on the ground and told Senthil to kneel on them. Senthil initially refused, but soon realised that he had no other option. Blood oozed from his legs as he knelt on the salt. The PI told Senthil that he would die unless he confessed to the crime.

Annual Report on Torture

At 10.00am, Senthil was taken to the prisoner’s room in handcuffs. He felt that he had no choice but to confess to the crime, because his pain was unbearable.

2007

At 12.00pm, Nagarajan came to the police station with Adv. Rajesh. The two men spoke to the PI; one of them – or perhaps someone else – paid Rs. 10,000 to release Senthil. The police then let Senthil go on the condition that he signed a written statement agreeing to return to the police station whenever he was asked.

FF Code : TN/TIR 31/JUNE/07 Victim(s) : Senthil Kumar Perpetrator(s) : 1) Rajesh, PO 2) Selvam, PO 3) Sivakumar, PO 4) Charles, PO Location : CBCID office, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli Date of incident : 26/06/2007

Senthil Kumar, a daily construction wage labourer, lives with his mother and two brothers. On 22nd June 2007, CBCID Police Officer Rajesh went to Senthil Kumar’s house and threatened him saying, “Call Sudalaimani, otherwise your family will not be alive!” Senthil Kumar told Rajesh that he did not know any thing about Sudalaimani. Rajesh slapped Senthil Kumar. Senthil Kumar’s mother cried, “Do not beat my son, he does not know anything!” Rajesh attacked and beat Senthil Kumar’s mother calling her “a bloody Dalit whore.” Rajesh threatened Senthil Kumar that if he did not disclose information, he would file a false case against Senthil Kumar’s mother labelling her as a prostitute.

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

195

Police officers took Senthil Kumar to CBCID office in Tirunelveli. The police alleged that there was a connection between Sudalaimani and Senthil Kumar’s family. There, police officers Rajesh, Selvam, Sivakumar and Charles tortured and beat Senthil Kumar, including beating his legs. When Senthil Kumar shouted in pain, the officers threatened to kill him.

The police filed an FIR against Senthil Kumar. They took his photo, registered his finger print and got his signature in a blank sheet of paper. Senthil Kumar was taken to Valliyur Court. When Senthil Kumar told the police that he wanted to go to the Hospital, they threatened to file false cases against him and his family. Out of fear, Senthil Kumar did not disclose his abuse to the magistrate. He was taken to Nanguneri Jail. Senthil Kumar was released on bail on 27th July 2007.

Annual Report on Torture

The police did not provide Senthil Kumar with any food. While in custody, the officer forced Senthil Kumar to bend his back down and they beat him. Senthil Kumar fainted and fell down. The next morning, Police officer Siva asked Senthil Kumar to kneel down, and he beat him continuously. Then Siva beat Senthil Kumar’s chest. Siva told Senthil Kumar to jump, but Senthil Kumar could not. The police took Rs.150/- in cash and 18 g of gold from Senthil Kumar. When the police asked Senthil Kumar to give them his jewel, he refused.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: TN/TIR 41/AUG/07 : Shahul Hameed : Ulaganathan, PI : Melapalayam PS, Palayamkottai Taluk, Tirunelveli Date of incident : 20/07/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

196

Shahul Hameed is an auto-driver who belongs to the Muslim community. Shahul Hameed initiated the preliminary steps to sell the land owned by his father in-law. During the process Shahul Hameed discovered that the subject land was sold in 1988 with forged ownership documents by a group of land brokers, including Moosa Bhai and Jothi. Shahul Hameed searched and found out the original ownership documents. Shahul Hameed also learned that Moosa Bhai and Jothi ran a Timber store in Melapalayam. On 20th July 2007, Shahul Hameed was called by Moosa Bhai and Jothi to the Timber Store to discuss the issue. The discussion became a scuffle, and the police were called. PI Ulaganathan went to the Timber store and, without any warning, beat Shahul Hameed with a baton until the baton broke. PI Ulaganathan took Shahul Hameed to the PS, and made him strip to his underwear. PI Ulaganathan beat Shahul Hameed with a steel rod. The beatings fractured Shahul Hameed’s right hand and fingers. The same day, Shahul Hameed was remanded to Palayamkottai Central Jail without receiving any medical treatment. The next day, Jailor Nijamudeen remanded Shahul Hameed to the Melapalayam PS, and he requested they admit Shahul Hameed to the hospital for treatment. Shahul Hameed was treated from 22nd July 2007 until 2nd August 2007 at the High Ground Hospital. After, Shahul Hameed was released on bail.

Annual Report on Torture

Though Shahul Hameed filed a complaint, no action has been taken. Shahul Hameed still is deeply physically and mentally affected.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 65/SEPT/07 Siva 1) Siva Kumar, SI; 2) other police Chennai 20/09/2007

Case Details: Victim Siva is a labourer in Turaipakkam Kannagi Nagar. Five years ago, the Chennai Government constructed houses for the street dwellers who are daily wage labourers in Siva’s community.

Although only a few of the labourers engage in anti-social practices, group clashes are a common feature in the area. On 7 September 2007, there was one such clash between the settlers of Reserve Line Quarters and those of three-story Government Quarters, because of an earlier grudge. During the clash, Selvam received a laceration. He was admitted to the General Hospital. The police proceeded to investigate his case and to arrest suspects.

The policemen questioned Siva about whether he was involved in Selvam’s injury; Siva replied that he did not understand what he was being asked. At 2.30am, the police brought Siva to the station. One policeman ordered Siva to remove his shirt and lungi. Siva obeyed. The police then locked him in a room with other prisoners. Siva repeatedly maintained that he had committed no fault.

Tamil Nadu

On 19 September 2007, Siva returned home from work at around 8.00pm. The next morning at around 2.00am, his mother woke him because three policemen were at the door and asking for him. They had told Siva’s mother that they wanted to bring Siva to the police station for questioning, but would return him later that morning.

197

At 7.30am, the SI ordered that Siva be brought before him. The SI took a log and beat the bottom of Siva’s feet four times, demanding to know why Siva had injured Selvam. Siva replied that he was not the person that the police were looking for. The SI responded that Siva would not tell the truth unless he was beaten with his hands and legs tied [ladam kattuthal]. The police made Siva lie on his chest and ordered him to stretch out his hands. One policeman sat on Siva’s back, while the SI beat Siva’s feet fifteen times with a log. The SI threatened to charge Siva with all pending cases unless he admitted to the crime. Siva’s feet were swollen from the beatings, and he was unable to walk. At around 9.00pm, Siva’s mother tried to see him but was denied permission. The SI told Siva’s mother that he could not let Siva leave, because Siva was likely to commit crimes in the future.

The police made Siva lie flat on his chest, and a PC beat Siva’s buttocks violently. Siva cried out in pain and agreed to admit to the crime. The SI stamped on Siva’s fingers with his booted foot, and threatened to kill Siva. On 29 September 2007 at 3.00pm, the police took Siva’s fingerprints and signature. At 3.30pm, they presented Siva before a Judge at Alanthus Court. At 6.00pm, they locked Siva in Puzhal Jail. As of the day that these facts were collected, Siva still could not hear properly because of the blow to his head.

Annual Report on Torture

At 12.30am, the SI called for Siva again and asked him whether he preferred to admit his crime or to be thrashed to death. Siva replied that he could not admit to a crime that he had not committed. The SI became angry and slapped Siva hard on his left cheek. He then took a log and beat Siva’s back. Siva shouted in pain.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/CHE 112/NOV/07 : Subash : 1) Krishnamurthy, SI; 2) unnamed PCs Location : Chennai Date of incident : 02/11/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

198

Victim Subash was the driver of a car owned by Mr. Muhammed Hussain. On 29 October 2007, Subash allowed his friends to transport a pig in the car. On learning of this, Mr. Hussain, a Muslim, became furious. He abused Subash verbally with caste-related insults like “kura payya” and fired Subash. Mr. Hussain then bribed the police to file a false charge against Subash. On 2 November 2007 at around 3.00am, a PC woke Subash and demanded that he come outside to meet SI Krishnamurthy. Outside, the SI interrogated him about the pig in the car, and accused him of attempting to beat Mr. Hussain. Subash refused these allegations. The SI slapped Subash, hit his buttocks, and punched his nose. The SI demanded that Subash identify the friends who were with him when the pig was transported. The SI then took Subash and his friends to the police station. At the station, a PC twisted the skin of Subash’s thighs and beat him with a baton on his back. Subash was in pain. The SI then summoned Subash and made him stretch out his hands, which he beat four times. The SI made Subash lie down. Two PCs grabbed Subash’s hands and legs, and then beat his buttocks and legs. The police brought Subash to Ambathur Court, from which he was remanded to Puzhal Jail.

: TN/TIR 29/JUNE/07 : Sudalaikani : Athish, SI : Alangulam PS, Alangulam Taluk, Thirunelveli Date of incident : 26/08/2007 Annual Report on Torture

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

2007

Case Details: Sudalaikani, a member of the Nadar community, works as a daily wage labourer. He is married and has three children. On 26th August 2007, Sudalaikani was standing near a shop in the Alangulam Bus Stand. SI Athish suddenly hit Sudalaikani on his left cheek and scolded him using highly offensive terms. SI Athish put Sudalaikani into an auto and tortured him on the way to the Alangulam PS. At the PS, SI Athish beat Sudalaikani with a baton on the left side of his chest. SI Athish tied Sudalaikani’s hands together and hung him from the roof, forcing him to stand. SI Athish inserted a wooden pole in between Sudalaikani’s hands and hit him on his feet with a baton.

SI Athish threatened Sudalaikani, stating that he will “wipe out” Sudalaikani’s wife and children if Sudalaikani did not tell him who else was with him. PI Athish made Sudalaikani sit down, and sat another prisoner on Sudalaikani’s lap. He then beat Sudalaikani’s back with a baton. The police tortured Sudalaikani throughout the night. They refused to let him sit, forcing him to stand until morning.

When Sudalaikani was released, he had wounds all over his body. Since this incident, Sudalaikani has been unable to work and cannot support his family.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location

: : : :

TN/TIR 61/AUG/07 Sudalai Kannu Mariappan, PC Vijaya Narayanam PS Naanguneri Taluk, Thirunelveli Date of incident : 11/09/2007

Tamil Nadu

The next day the police resumed torturing Sudalaikani. In the afternoon, Sudalaikani was permitted to telephone his neighbour to ask his wife to bring Rs. 350/- to the station. She brought the Rs. 350/- The police forced Sudalaikani to sign some written papers. The police told him to pay a Rs. 100/- fine to the court, which he did.

199

Case Details: Mookkaandi, a member of the Hindu-Maravar Caste, works as a daily wage labourer. His youngest son, Sudalai Kannu is a 7th standard student at R.C High School in Sathankulam. On the bus to school, Sudalai Kannu sat in front of two other students, Arunpandian and Sendhurpandian. Arunpandian and Sendhurpandian started pinching and hitting Sudalai Kannu. When Sudalai Kannu started crying, Kanni Perumal, a person from their village, shouted at the two students for beating Sudalai Kannu. Sudalai Kannu told his father about the incident.

On 11th September 2007, Mookandi and Sudalai Kannu went to the North Vijaya Narayanam PS. There, they saw Arumuga Thevar, the grandfather of Arunpandian and Sendhurpandian. The PC took Sudalai Kannu and Sendhurpandian into a room and forced them to kneel down. The police asked them about the incident. PC Mariappan punched Sudalai Kannu on his cheek and thrashed him with a baton on his thighs. Sudalai Kannu cried, unable to bear the pain. Later, the police officers told Mookandi to raise his son in a disciplined manner. The next day, as a result of being punched, Sudalai Kannu was unable to open his eyes, and he had severe pain in his thighs. He was admitted to the Thirunelveli Government Hospital for treatment.

Annual Report on Torture

A few days later, Vijaya Narayanam PS PCs took Kanni Perumal to the PS for an enquiry. When he was released, Kanni Perumal told Mookandi that the police wanted to speak with him and Sudalai Kannu.

2007

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

TN/CHE 104/NOV/07 Tamilvanan 1) Pandian, SI; 2) unnamed PCs N4 PS, Chennai 04/08/2007

Tamil Nadu

Case Details:

200

Victim Tamilvanan was drunk and engaged in a scuffle at a shop. SI Pandian and other PCs arrived, hit Tamilvanan, and slapped his left cheek. They then took Tamilvanan by his collar and dragged him to the police station. At the station, the police beat Tamilvanan several times with a baton; they accused him of being a rowdy man who created a drunken nuisance in the street. Tamilvanan’s wife arrived at the station. She told the SI that Tamilvanan was drunk, and begged him to let her husband go. The SI then called Tamilvanan back, asked him to stretch out his hands, and thrashed his hands about ten times. Tamilvanan’s fingernail was injured and he quivered with pain. The police then thrashed Tamilvanan’s buttocks, and when releasing him told him to run without stopping. Later, Tamilvanan’s fingernail developed a blood clot, and his fingers were swollen. Three days after the incident, pus began to form on Tamilvanan’s fingernails, which then fell off.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/CHE 114/NOV/07 : Thangaraj : 1) Maria Selvam, PI; 2) Pandian, SI; 3) unnamed PCs Location : N4 PS, Chennai Date of incident : 20/10/2007

Annual Report on Torture

Case Details:

2007

Victim Thangaraj earns his livelihood by fishing. At one time, he used to accompany Nadhiya and Askar when they were fishing. Nadhiya and Askar were involved in local arbitration and known to the police; because of his association with them, Thangaraj was arrested and abused frequently by the police. Eventually, Thangaraj gave up their company because of parental pressure. However, he was still bothered and abused by the officers at N4 PS, and contemplated suicide. On 20 October 2007 at around 2.00am, two PCs – one in civilian clothing – woke Thangaraj. They dragged Thangaraj by his collar into their jeep. In the jeep, Thangaraj told SI Pandian that he had done nothing wrong. The SI replied that he knew everything. The police drove Thangaraj to the police station.

At the station, the SI beat Thangaraj with a baton. The SI asked Thangaraj for the whereabouts of Nadhiya and Askar; Thangaraj replied that he had no idea. The SI then kicked Thangaraj in the abdomen and struck his head with a baton. Similar treatment continued. The SI then told Thangaraj to lie on his chest. Two PCs held his hands and legs. Thangaraj told the police that he would poison himself if they tortured him. The police responded that he should do so. They thrashed Thangaraj’s back and feet about twenty times and locked him in a cell.

At 12.30pm, some villagers came to the station and demanded Thangaraj’s release. Thangaraj’s mother threatened to immolate herself in front of the station if the police did not release her son. The police released Thangaraj, but threatened to kill him if they ever saw him again.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s)

: TN/CHE 30/APRIL/07 : E. Vedhamani : 1) Seetharaman, PI; 2) unnamed PCs Location : Maduravaayal PS Date of incident : 15/04/2007

Tamil Nadu

At 10.00am, PI Maria Selvam learned that Thangaraj had threatened to poison himself. The PI slapped Thangaraj, hit him with a baton on his thighs, and made him sit in a corner.

201

Case Details:

Because Vedhamani had been sitting with his legs folded, one of his legs had stiffened, so he could only walk slowly. The PI ran towards him and asked “How dare you walk slowly even after seeing me?” The PI hit Vedhamani with a baton on his calves. Vedhamani, in pain, explained why he had been walking slowly and asked why the PI had beaten him. The PI became angrier, hit Vedhamani’s legs again, and said “I know about the Para [shorter version of “Parayar,” a Scheduled Caste to which Vedhamani belongs] guys and how haughty they are!” The PI grabbed Vedhamani’s t-shirt and lungi and twisted them. He insulted Vedhamani again with caste-related terms. By this time, Vedhamani’s parents and nearly one hundred villagers had gathered around. They asked the PI to leave Vedhamani alone, saying that Vedhamani was of good character and did not cause trouble. The PI replied that, even if his hand were cut apart, he would not let go of Vedhamani. Vedhamani’s brother asked the PI to release Vedhamani, but the PI refused. Vedhamani’s father bowed down to the PI’s feet and asked him to leave his son alone; the PI responded by pushing Vedhamani’s father, who fell into a thorny shrub and was injured. Vedhamani’s mother begged the PI to leave her son alone, but the PI responded by hitting her on her left wrist, which she had previously fractured. Pastor Marin of the ECL Church arrived and asked the

Annual Report on Torture

Victim Vedhamani worked as a car driver. On 15 April 2007 at around 8.30pm, he was speaking with friends near his house. PI Seetharaman arrived on a two-wheeler accompanied by two PCs. The PI, who was drunk, demanded “How dare you sit there without paying respect towards me?” As the people in that area were afraid of the police, they began to walk towards their respective homes.

2007

PI to leave Vedhamani alone; the PI responded again that even if his hand were cut, he would not let go of Vedhamani. The PI contacted Maduravaayal PS and asked for a jeep. When the jeep arrived, four PCs took Vedhamani by his hands and legs and threw him into the vehicle. Vedhamani fell between the seats and injured his back. The PCs prevented the villagers from coming near the jeep.

Tamil Nadu

Inside the jeep, the PI continued to harass Vedhamani, punching his chest, shoulder, knee and hand. The PI verbally abused Vedhamani, saying “Fuck of your mother, you son of a Para bitch! Are you asking me questions?” The PI punched Vedhamani more than fifty times, shouting as he did so “You son of a bitch! You eunuch! I never let anybody live who opposes me. You son of a Para bitch! I know how haughty Paras are! I won’t let you go without killing you! Whatever may happen and whoever may come to help you, I won’t let you go free!” Vedhamani was afraid of dying in the jeep. He begged the PI to stop, but the PI continued to punch him, saying “You son of a bitch! You eunuch! Fuck of your mother! You son of a Para bitch! Did you dare to question me with your gym-trained body? I will have your skin peeled off!” The PI then stepped on 202 Vedhamani’s face, below his left eye, breaking the skin. The PI spit in Vedhamani’s eye. Vedhamani was in severe pain. He could not raise his arms to clean the spit from his eye, which was burning and which he could not open. Two PCs also started to join the PI in hitting Vedhamani. At the police station, the four PCs carried Vedhamani inside by his arms and legs. They made him lay on his stomach on a bench. Vedhamani was in severe pain. The PI ripped off Vedhamani’s t-shirt and lungi. Two PCs held Vedhamani’s hands and legs. The PI beat Vedhamani with a baton more than thirty times. Vedhamani slipped into unconsciousness. The PI woke Vedhamani by pouring water on his face. Four PCs, holding Vedhamani’s hands and legs, made him face the wall. The PI beat Vedhamani’s buttocks for approximately fifteen minutes and continued to abuse him verbally. Vedhamani was bruised and bleeding. At around 10.30pm, Pastor Williams, Pastor Martin (from the ECL Church), Kathiravan (ex-Councilor of Mugapaer), Prabakran (Vice-President), Thiyagarajan (Ward Member), Sarangabani (Vedhamani’s elder brother), and about one hundred villagers came to the police station and spoke to the PI.

Annual Report on Torture

At around 11.00pm, the police released Vedhamani. Before releasing him, the PI threatened to file a false charge against Vedhamani and to kill him if he told anyone about his experience at the police station.

2007

Vedhamani did not tell anyone about the details of his treatment by the police, who filed a charge against him under sections 41 and 102. Vedhamani’s friends took him to the hospital. Seeing the extent of his injuries, they decided to file a complaint against the PI. On returning home, Vedhamani could not sleep because of pain and stress. On 16 April 2007 at around 11.00am, Vedhamani, Sarangabani, and the Pastors went to the Assistant Commissioner’s office to file a complaint. They were directed to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. When

they went to the Kilpauk Hospital to obtain a medical report, the doctor refused to help them because this was a case of police torture. On 17 April 2007 at around 11.00am, Vedhamani, Sarangabani, and the Pastors went to the Chennai Police Commissioner’s Office and lodged a copmlaint against the PI. The Office assured them that necessary action would be taken. At 6.00pm, Vedhamani gained admission to the Government Hospital by lying about his aggressor’s identity. The doctors at the Hospital examined him. The next morning at 4.00am, a policeman arrived and asked Vedhamani to sign a blank paper.

Vedhamani’s father filed complaints with the SHRC, CM Cell, and Chennai Police Commissioner. At the SHRC inquiry, the PI was present and asked Vedhamani for forgiveness. The PI has since maintained that he was preventing illegal activities in the area, that he was not in the habit of drinking, that Vedhamani abused him, and that Vedhamani was not tortured. He alleges that Vedhamani has filed a false complaint against him.

FF Code Victim(s) Perpetrator(s) Location Date of incident

: : : : :

Tamil Nadu

At 6.00am, Vedhamani was discharged.

203

TN/KK 49/SEPT/07 Velmurugan 1) unnamed HC; 2) Sabapathy, PI Kulithalai PS 01/09/2007

Case Details: Victim Velmurugan resides at Nadar East Street, Achan Kundram, VK Pudhur Via, Surundai Nellai. On 1 September 2007, an HC from Kulithalai PS approached Velmurugan, dragged him by his shirt and slapped his left cheek.

At around 4.00am, PI Sabapathy arrived and asked the HC why he had detained Velmurugan. The HC replied that he saw Velmurugan standing suspiciously near the theatre junction and so had arrested him. The PI kicked Velmurugan, who cried out in pain. The PI hit Velmurugan with a baton. At around 6.00am, Velmurugan’s boss, Christudas, arrived and spoke to the PI, who refused to release Velmurugan. At around 12.00pm, Christudas brought lunch for Velmurugan. Two PCs took Velmurugan to the hospital. After a medical check-up, they brought Velmurugan to the Kulithalai Sub-Jail. A judged ordered Velmurugan detained for fifteen days.

Annual Report on Torture

The HC took Velmurugan to the police station and made him sit on the floor. The HC kicked Velmurugan’s abdomen three times.

2007