2 deaths in 2 days: Tamil Nadu top cop issues circular on custodial interrogation
India Today
Tamil Nadu Police has issued a circular on how to treat an accused in police custody after the state reported two alleged custodial deaths in two days.
Tamil Nadu reported two alleged custodial deaths in the last 48 hours, prompting the Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) to issue circular and Standard operating procedures (SOP) on how to handle an accused in police custody.
On Sunday, history shelter Rajasekhar reportedly died while being questioned. This led to the suspension of six policemen attached to Kodungaiyur Police station. Siva Subramanian too succumbed to injuries allegedly sustained during custodial interrogation in Nagapattinam.
Following this, questions were raised about handling of the accused by the police. Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendra Babu has now issued a circular to all SPs stating that no time should be wasted in allowing escorts to accompany the accused to hospital who are in need to medical assistance.
Another SOP mentioned that suspects or accused should never be beaten. Special teams should be constituted to monitor this. According to the circular, the accused should only be kept in police stations and not in hostels or any other type of residence.
READ | Tamil Nadu man detained for questioning dies, family alleges custodial death
The accused should be produced before court and taken under police custody and should never be held illegally.
The SOP also stated that the time log of the accused being brought to police stations and his stay should be provided to SP office and remand procedures should be strictly adhered to.
