The incident of custodial violence surfaced after the victims released a video alleging that Balveer Singh pulled out their teeth pliers.
Suspended ASP Balveer Singh has been summoned by the State Human Rights Commission, following custodial torture allegations. (TN government website)
Five victims of alleged custodial violence in Tamil Nadu’s Ambasamudram appeared before the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in Chennai on Friday, 31 March, and gave their testimony.
Former Ambasamudram Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Balveer Singh, who is accused of custodial torture, has also been summoned by the SHRC for an inquiry.
The victims include Chellappa, Isaki Muthu, Subash, and Veda Narayanan, and were accompanied by their advocate V Maharajan.
They appeared before SHRC Chairman Justice S Baskaran and submitted their statement.
The incidents of custodial violence surfaced after the victims Chellappa and others released a video alleging that IPS officer Balveer Singh, who was the ASP of Ambasamudram sub-division in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, pulled out their teeth with stones and a cutting plier.
In a previous interview, Chellappa told South First that the ASP, while continuously asking whether they were rowdy elements, wore a glove and plucked his tooth using a cutting plier.
Another detainee from Ambasamudram told South First, “The ASP and a sub-inspector slapped us continuously. They put a blue-metal stone (basalt stone, often used in construction) in our mouths and forced us to bite it. Then he hit us in the face. Our teeth were broken and we spit blood.”
He added, “They also made us sit in our underwear. Later, the inspector and other policemen stood on our thighs and beat us with a stick.” He also alleged that the police told them not to reveal the assault to the magistrate before whom they were to be produced.
According to a complaint from this group of men, ASP Singh visited the Kallidaikurichi Police Station on Thursday to interrogate 10-odd detainees who were said to be involved in various cases, including clashes, money-lending, and damaging CCTV cameras in a property.
Singh was transferred and placed on a compulsory waitlist on the day the video went viral on social media.
On 29 March, when the issue echoed in the state Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin ordered his suspension.
Meanwhile, Cheranmahadevi Sub Collector Mohammed Shabir Alam said that those affected by the alleged torture could appear before him at his office on all working days till 10 April, to testify.
Four people have deposed before him so far.
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