Allegations Of Illegal Detention By Police Officers: Madras High Court Directs To Preserve CCTV Footage
The Madras High Court recently directed the Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent Of Police and Inspector of Police of Sankarankovil Town Police Station, Tenkasi District and Inspector of Police, Rajapalam Police Station, Viruthunagar District to preserve the CCTV footages recorded on the 6th and 7th April in connection with an allegation of illegal detention against certain...
The Madras High Court recently directed the Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent Of Police and Inspector of Police of Sankarankovil Town Police Station, Tenkasi District and Inspector of Police, Rajapalam Police Station, Viruthunagar District to preserve the CCTV footages recorded on the 6th and 7th April in connection with an allegation of illegal detention against certain police officials.
Justice V. Sivagnanam of the Madurai Bench observed as under:
Considering the importance of the CCTV footage to adjudicate the issue involved in this case, the respondents 1 to 4 are directed to preserve the CCTV footages recorded on 06.04.2022 and 07.04.2022 at Venkateswara Clinic and Selvam Tea Stall, Kumaran Sweets Store, Anandham Cloth Store and Aandal Jewelers.
The case of the petitioner was that one Karthick, a friend of the petitioner, had borrowed the petitioner's car and returned it. Later the said Karthick took the Petitioner's car without her permission using a fake key. Subsequently, one Selvam, who is the Sub Inspector of Police informed her that Karthick has lodged a complaint against her and asked her to hand over the car key. The Petitioner handed over the car keys to the sub inspector.
On 06.04.2022, the police officials attached to the Kellarajakularaman Police Station, forcibly taken the petitioner to Sankarankovil Bus stand and kept her in their illegal custody, harassed her and asked the car. They later dropped her at Gandhi Statue at Rajapalayam. The petitioener has sought CCTV camera footage of these places as her presence might be recorded in the said cameras. However, the owners of the shops at these places informed her that CCTV camera footage will be provided only on request of the police officials.
The petitioner also submitted that she sent representations to the respondent to initiate action against the police officials who had harrassed her. However no action has been taken till now. The petitioner also submitted that the footages were very important to prove the case and she apprehended that the same may be destroyed. Hence she approached the court seeking directions to preserve the footages which was allowed.
Case Title: Mahalakshmi v. The Superintendent of Police and others
Case No: W.P(MD).No.9009 of 2022
Citation: 2022 Livelaw (Mad) 272
Counsel for the Petitioner: Karunanidhi .R
Counsel for the Respondent: Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side)