Custodial death of driver: Cop indulged in excesses, says probe

Two years after an autorickshaw driver was allegedly tortured to death in police custody, the Madras high court has been told that a departmental inquiry has proved that the inspector violated law and indulged in excesses.

Police in Nagapattinam stated in an affidivit before the first Bench last week that the departmental inquiry had proved that inspector NS Rajendran was guilty of delinquency. It said the matter had been sent to the DIG on February 25 for the competent authority to pass final orders.

The affidavit was filed on a PIL by Ossie Fernandes, co-convener of Campaign for Custodial Justice and Abolition of Torture, that had sought an a detailed enquiry by a retired District Judge into the death of Suresh within a stipulated time and Rs 10 lakh compensation to his family.