Ongoing trend of extra-judicial killings in TN: 'Blatant violation of rule of law'

By Thiagu*

In a statement issued on September 23, 2024, the Joint Action Against Custodial Torture – Tamil Nadu (JAACT) condemned the extra-judicial killing of notorious criminal ‘Seizing’ Raja in Chennai. The organization expressed deep concern over the ongoing trend of extra-judicial killings in Tamil Nadu, calling it a blatant violation of the rule of law.

Reports indicate that in the early hours of September 23, Greater Chennai Police shot ‘Seizing’ Raja in Neelankarai. Raja had been apprehended earlier in Kadappa, Andhra Pradesh, and brought to Chennai. According to the police, while attempting to recover a hidden weapon in a remote area near Neelankarai, Raja allegedly fired a concealed country-made gun at the officers, resulting in his death.

However, this account closely resembles the police's narrative following the extra-judicial killing of another criminal, Thiruvengadam, on July 14, 2024, raising serious questions and suspicions.

This incident marks the third extra-judicial killing by the Greater Chennai Police within just ten weeks since A. Arun took office as Commissioner on July 8, 2024, shortly after the murder of K. Armstrong, the former state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Upon his appointment, Arun was quoted as stating, “We will speak in a language that rowdies will understand,” in response to inquiries about addressing rowdyism. Such a statement from the city's top police official appears reckless and irresponsible, undermining the responsibility to maintain law and order. While recognizing the sensitivity surrounding the investigation into Armstrong’s murder, JAACT asserts that employing extra-judicial measures, including encounters, will not deliver justice.

Although Raja was reportedly a person of interest in the Armstrong investigation, the police later clarified that his arrest was unrelated to the case. This contradiction raises further doubts and could erode public trust in the police investigation.

The recent incidents expose a concerning alliance between criminals and political figures, including those within the legal profession. It is now imperative for the government to carry out an impartial investigation to hold the true perpetrators accountable, thereby restoring public confidence in law enforcement.

Tragically, Raja is the 16th individual to fall victim to extra-judicial killings since the current DMK administration took office in May 2021. Such actions, along with custodial torture, have no place in a progressive society like Tamil Nadu, and the government must abandon its ‘encounter model’ of policing.

Arun was quoted as stating, We will speak in a language that rowdies will understand, in response to queries about the encounter

Relying on illegal and extra-judicial responses is a clear indication of the administration's lost faith in effective prosecution and its failure to conduct thorough and fair investigations.

JAACT strongly opposes the use of extra-judicial killings as a tactic against rowdyism, emphasizing that such actions mock the rule of law and violate constitutional morality. It urges the High Court of Madras to intervene immediately regarding the rampant instances of extra-judicial killings, calling for a suo-motu inquiry into both current and past incidents in Tamil Nadu.

JAACT recommends forming a commission of inquiry comprising former judges and distinguished former police officers to uncover the truth behind the recent three killings in Chennai. It appeals to the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission to take urgent suo-motu action regarding today’s incident by setting up a fact-finding team to ensure an independent investigation that prevents any tampering with crucial evidence.

Additionally, it reminds the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) of its mandate under the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987, which allows it to provide legal support to those in custody. The SLSA is also empowered to initiate public interest litigation to seek an independent inquiry into the recent extra-judicial killings in the state.

While JAACT trusts that these requests for action will be heeded, it implores the Government of Tamil Nadu to immediately suspend the police officers involved in Raja’s killing, including Commissioner Arun and Additional Director General of Police Davidson Devasirvatham, to reinforce responsibility and end the culture of impunity.

---

*Convenor - Joint Action Against Custodial Torture (JAACT)

Comments

Campaign group urges INDIA alliance to release Jharkhand manifesto to counter BJP’s 'divisive' agenda

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan, an advocacy group, has issued a press release urging the INDIA alliance to release a Jharkhand-specific manifesto to counter the BJP’s "divisive" electoral agenda. With just two weeks remaining before the assembly elections, the INDIA coalition has yet to announce its plans and priorities for the state. Meanwhile, the BJP's campaign, according to the press release, is centered around communalism, divisiveness, and distraction from Jharkhand's core issues.

Israel's 'war crime': 18,000 children died not just from bomb explosions but also starvation

By Sandeep Pandey* Last year 6 years old Madiha was a guest during Diwali at our home in Lucknow. Listening to the sound of fire crackers bursting outside she remarked, ‘It appears as if we’re in Gaza.’ She has probably no idea of the extent of damage and loss of life that has taken place in Palestine but can relate to sound of crackers as bombs exploding over Gaza.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Bid to isolate India globally 'to drive it even closer' to long-time ally, Russia

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The relationship between India and Canada has plunged to unprecedented lows, with both governments seemingly exploiting the situation for their domestic political gains. Canada has long been home to several anti-India elements, with little action taken against them. When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, some of these secessionist groups openly celebrated and issued further threats, particularly from Canada and Britain. While Britain eventually acted to contain such elements in the interest of maintaining ties with India, Canada did not. Over the years, India has sought the extradition of 23 criminals residing in Canada, but the Canadian government has mostly dismissed these requests, claiming these individuals have no criminal records in their country.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

How pseudo-liberals 'went wrong' in judging DY Chandrachud as Chief Justice India

By Shamsul Islam* DY Chandrachud took charge as Chief Justice of the Indian Supreme Court (SC) on November 09, 2022. On this occasion many of the pseudo-liberals who claimed to be defenders of the democratic-secular polity of India manifested great happiness. They declared that the time of SC being an appendage of the RSS-BJP government headed by PM Modi was over as Justice Chandrachud was a liberal judge committed to the democratic-secular polity of India.

In the pantheon of Indian cricket, VVS Laxman as symbol of elegance, resilience, unselfish brilliance

By Harsh Thakor* On November 1st, legendary Indian cricketer VVS Laxman celebrates his 50th birthday. Known for his elegance, Laxman turned impossible matches on their heads with a style that captivated cricket fans worldwide. He wielded his bat like an artist’s brush, finding gaps on the field with surgical precision, creating innings as meticulously as a sculptor carves a masterpiece. Born in Hyderabad, Laxman inherited the stylistic lineage of local icons ML Jaisimha and Mohammad Azharuddin, blending it with a grace reminiscent of Gundappa Viswanath.

Search This Blog