CHENNAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the registration of a criminal case against two policemen for allegedly foisting false cases and assaulting a youth.

Justice Sundar Mohan passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Thavakkannan of Kariapatti in Virudhunagar district, who alleged that he was illegally assaulted at the A. Mukkulam police station.

According to the petitioner, he had applied for a passport in 2020 after completing a diploma and visited the police station for an inquiry. He claimed that Sub-Inspector Manikandan and police constable Selvaraj later accused him of stealing a walkie-talkie from the station, summoned him again and assaulted him.

Thavakkannan said the walkie-talkie was found the same night, following which he was released. He added that he was hospitalised due to injuries and that his complaint against the cops involved did not result in any action.

He further submitted that another false case was subsequently registered against him, from which the Tiruchuzhi court later acquitted him. He sought a direction to register a case against the police personnel for falsely implicating and assaulting him.

Opposing the plea, government advocate Meenakshi Sundaram informed the court that departmental action had already been initiated based on the complaint.

However, petitioner’s counsel R Karunanidhi argued that the alleged custodial assault arising out of false accusations constituted a punishable offence.

After hearing both sides, the judge observed that the allegations disclosed a cognisable offence and directed that a case be registered against the two policemen and further action be taken in accordance with the law.