SHRC imposes fine on cop for beating teen during inquiry

According to K Selvi, her son Yogeshwaran was 17 years and 9 months at the time of the incident on August 8, 2017. That day, Chromepet inspector Sivakumar arrested her son on suspicion of being involved in a group clash and took him to the station. The inspector allegedly abused the boy and beat him up, leaving him with injuries all over the body. 

Yogeshwaran was falsely booked in a criminal case and sent to the Special Home in Chengalpattu around 10 pm on August 10. Though rules mandate that officials should be in plainclothes when dealing with juveniles, Sivakumar was in uniform, Selvi alleged. When Yogeshwaran was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, Kancheepuram, on August 11, the board recorded the injuries on his body. But inspector Sivakumar denied the allegations, claiming that Yogeshwaran was arrested only on August 9 following a complaint from Vinothkumar that Sathish, Sasi, Yogeshwaran and his father attacked him and his friend Mani. On the same day, Yogeshwaran also filed a complaint against Manikandan, Vinothkumar, Joseph and Vicky attacked them. 

Sivakumar claimed he acted diligently and he arrested members of both groups, including Vinothkumar and Yogeshwaran who were juveniles, to prevent any group clash. According to him, Yogeshwaran’s father approached him to close the case, which he refused. The complaint against him was filed only to take revenge, he added. However, the Commission said the complainant has proved that Yogeshwaran was beaten up with a lathi. By wearing uniform during questioning, Sivaraman failed to follow procedure and also detained Yogeshwaran for more than 24 hours. Holding that the inspector violated the human rights of Yogeshwaran, he was asked to pay Rs 50,000 compensation, it said.