A policeman in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu has been suspended for assaulting three women, including a pregnant woman who remains in critical condition. Police Constable Raman of the Kanakamma Chathiram station in Thiruvallur was caught on camera assaulting the women, who had approached the station with a complaint.
Dhanam, Madhumitha, and Sevvanthi, who is five months pregnant, had gone to the Kanakamma Chathiram station to file a complaint against one Sivaji for allegedly sending obscene messages to Madhumitha and sexually harassing her. A complaint had been filed previously regarding the same issue, though no action had been taken.
Dissatisfied with the police response, Madhumitha, a Nepali national according to a report by The Hindu, had informed Sivaji’s wife at his home. In retaliation, Sivaji allegedly abused and assaulted the women again on the night of Sunday, June 22.
At 2 am on Sunday, the trio approached the police station and discovered that Sivaji, along with a friend, was already at the station. The constable reportedly refused to file a complaint and asked them to leave at the insistence of the duo. An argument ensued, following which the constable attacked the women. The constable is also alleged to have taken a bribe from Sivaji.
A video of the incident, captured by a bystander, has gone viral on social media, leading to widespread condemnation. A case was registered against the duo and the constable following the circulation of the video. Political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) have condemned the incident.
District Superintendent of Police, Srinivasa Perumal, placed Head Constable Raman under suspension following a preliminary inquiry.
In another incident of alleged police excess against women, K. Santhamoorthi, inspector of the Race Course Police Station in Coimbatore, has been ordered by the State Human Rights Commission to provide Rs 50,000 in compensation to V. Priyadharshini, a resident of Shenoy Nagar, Chennai, who was harassed by the police in connection with a property dispute.