SHRC pulls up cop for not registering plaint against quacks, directs 25K relief

The SHRC acting Chairperson D Jayachandran before whom the plea came up said, “It is seen from the oral and documentary evidence that the inspector Janarthanan has not conducted proper inquiry on the complaint and suppressed the materials before this commission. Hence, Mathialagan is entitled to receive compensation.”

“When he requested the inspector to take action against Murugesan and his wife Kala for being quacks in 2017 and 2018, the police official failed to conduct inquiry after receiving bribe,” read the petition filed by Mathialagan.

Countering this, Janarthanan denied all the allegations and contended that he conducted inquiry. “During the inquiry, Murugesan produced documents to show that he was doing alternative medicine practice with approval. Further, Mathialagan has lodged a complaint due to personal enmity with Murugesan,” the counter statement read.

The Commission had asked the Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur to submit a report on this regard. The senior official said that Murugesan had obtained fake degree from fake college and a case has also been registered against him and investigation was going on. Recording the submissions, the Commission held that Inspector suppressed the materials and awarded compensation.

In an another incident, taking suo moto cognisance over the media report that Avadi police officials have refused to file a complaint after a 55-year-old woman fought off a chain snatcher, SHRC had called for detailed report from Joint Commissioner of Police (West), Ambattur within two weeks. In the event of any default, the commission may act as it deems fit and proper.