The ASP was booked under three IPC sections. However, there is no clarity on whether others accused in the case were named in the FIR.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Balveer Singh was accused of torturing detainees by removing their teeth using cutting pliers. (Supplied)
More than three weeks after he was suspended, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Balveer Singh was on Monday, 17 April, booked by the Tirunelveli district police for torturing detainees who were in police custody.
According to district police, the First Information Report (FIR) showed that the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was booked under three sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Based on the complaint from several victims, the District Crime Branch police booked him under Sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 326 (voluntarily causes grievous hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death) and 506(1) (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
A senior police officer told South First that since the accused was an IPS officer, proper approval was sought by the DGP office from the Home Secretary to proceed with further action in the case.
However, there is no clarity on whether other personnel who were allegedly involved in the custodial torture were named in the FIR.
Henry Tiphagne, the director of People’s Watch, a programme unit of the Madurai-based Centre for Promotion of Social Concerns, told South First: “It is a welcome move to book the suspended ASP at least now.”
He added: “Now the whole case is in the hands of the investigating officer. A proper investigation should be done as the case is being monitored by human rights organisations across the world.”
On 27 March, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced to the Assembly that the ASP was suspended following the custodial torture allegations against him.
Further, a DRO inquiry was ordered and subsequently, Cheranmahadevi Sub-Collector Mohammed Shabbir Alam conducted an inquiry with the victims.
Recording their statements, the sub-collector recommended a higher-level probe.
Following it, the government appointed senior IAS officer P Amudha, the principal secretary of the Rural Development Department, to probe the issue.
However, during her first phase of inquiry on 10 April, no victim turned up to record their statement.
The senior IAS Officer commenced the second phase of the probe for two days on 17 April at the Ambasamudram taluk office.
On Monday, when the victims said policemen in mufti are monitoring them, the senior IAS officer directed all the policemen — including the intelligence personnel — present in the taluk office to leave the campus.
She also reportedly told the Tirunelveli SP not to allow the policemen unnecessarily in the inquiry office.
During her inquiry, five victims appeared before the senior officer and recorded their statements.
The inquiry will continue on Tuesday. Following it, the officer will submit her report to the government.
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