Ex-judge to probe custody attack

A division bench comprising Justice Rajiv Shakder and Justice N Satish Kumar said, “A perusal of the report establishes that the detainee has suffered acute damage to his kidneys, besides having four fingers of each hand being amputated owing to spread of gangrene. The report clearly shows that the state of health of the detainee is poor, to say the least.”

The bench held that Justice Ramanathan, will inquire into the cause for the injuries, evidently suffered by the detainee. 

The bench also held that the state and officers shall accord all assistance and make themselves available to ensure effective and robust inquiry into the matter.

Noting that the retired judge will have the power to summon any witness, whose presence is required by him to carry the process of enquiry forward, the bench also directed the state to produce all documents and records, which may be necessary, for conducting the inquiry.

The issue came to light by a Habeas Corpus petition moved by the father of detainee Sheik Sahul Hameed, an auto driver from Papanasam in Thanjavur, seeking judicial inquiry into the assault and consequent injuries. Sheik was in custody between August 28 and August 31. 

It may be noted that based on a court order on September 11, the detainee was shifted from Stanley Medical College Hospital to Apollo Hospital, Chennai.