The Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the government to pay a compensation of three lakh rupees to the mother of a deceased lawyer with disabilities, who faced severe harassment and threats from a police inspector in Tirupur district. The commission has further recommended that the state recover this entire amount from the salary of the accused officer, Inspector P Gopinath, and initiate strict departmental proceedings against him.
Chronicle of Harassment and a Legal Battle
The case originates from a complaint filed by L Muruganantham, a resident of Dharapuram in Tirupur. Muruganantham, who suffered from Becker Muscular Dystrophy (70% disability), autism spectrum disorder, and multiple psychological conditions, alleged severe misconduct by the then inspector of Dharapuram police station, P Gopinath. The incident occurred on March 21, 2020, when Muruganantham visited the police station regarding a complaint forwarded by the Tirupur Superintendent of Police.
Despite being fully aware of his medical condition, Inspector Gopinath allegedly threatened the lawyer with police remand and subjected him to harassment. Muruganantham's complaint detailed a pattern of abuse, accusing the inspector of acting in favour of a relative in a civil dispute, intimidating him for filing RTI applications, and coercing him and his mother, L Sumathra Devi, to transfer their properties under the threat of false criminal cases.
A Fight for Justice from SHRC to High Court
Initially, in May 2023, the SHRC closed the complaint based on a police enquiry report. Unwilling to accept this, Muruganantham approached the Madras High Court, which set aside the SHRC's closure order and sent the matter back for a fresh and detailed consideration. Tragically, during the pendency of these legal proceedings, Muruganantham passed away. His mother, L Sumathra Devi, was then impleaded as his legal representative to continue the fight for justice.
Upon re-examination as directed by the High Court, the SHRC, led by member V Kannadasan, conducted a thorough inquiry. This included examining witnesses and scrutinizing documents. The commission found glaring inconsistencies in the inspector's evidence and serious lapses in procedure.
SHRC Findings and the Final Order
The commission's investigation revealed that Inspector Gopinath failed to conduct a proper enquiry into Muruganantham's original complaint and, critically, did not follow the mandatory safeguards required while dealing with a person with disabilities. The SHRC noted key inconsistencies:
- There was no proof that any official summons was issued to Muruganantham.
- The CCTV cameras at the Dharapuram police station were non-functional at the relevant time, raising questions about transparency.
- The inspector's actions were found to be negligent and in violation of human rights protocols.
Based on these findings, the SHRC passed the final order for compensation. It strongly recommended that the Tamil Nadu government recover the ₹3 lakh compensation amount from Inspector P Gopinath's salary and take necessary departmental action against him for his misconduct. This order not only provides monetary relief to the victim's family but also sets a precedent for accountability in cases of power abuse against vulnerable citizens.
