CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss has expressed shock over the suspension of Judge PaU Chemmal, the Chairman of the Permanent Lok Adalat in Ariyalur, after being shunted out from the Kancheepuram district court over passing controversial orders to arrest a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Ramadoss called the action unjust and contrary to the principles of natural justice, pointing out that the judge wasn't given a chance to defend himself.
In a statement, the senior leader said that Judge Chemmal, who faced action over orders passed as Principal District Judge of Kancheepuram, has a 26-year-old record of delivering justice with integrity. Ramadoss noted that Judge Chemmal was widely appreciated by advocates and the public for ensuring legal remedies to affected litigants.
He cited a landmark order in a 22-year-old custodial death case in Kancheepuram, where the judge directed a monthly pension and land title to the victim’s widow and a government job to her daughter. He also handled custodial torture cases with uprightness befitting the judiciary, Ramadoss said.
Referring to a controversial directive delivered by Justice Chemmal to arrest Kancheepuram DSP M Shankar Ganesh for allegedly failing to take action in a case filed against a policeman under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Ramadoss said the judge was forced to act only after the officer failed in his duty. "However, disciplinary action was taken without seeking any explanation from the judge, making it a one-sided move. Such actions, taken without due inquiry, could erode public confidence in the judiciary and create fear among judges delivering justice to ordinary citizens," he said.