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A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram on Monday after Principal District and Sessions Judge Thiru Pa U Chemmal, who also serves as the Special Judge for cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, ordered the judicial custody of DSP M Sankar Ganesh for "willful negligence" in handling a sensitive caste atrocity case.
The case stemmed from a clash near Poosivakkam bus stop in Walajabad, involving Murugan of Poosivakkam and members of a local bakery. While cross-complaints were registered at Walajabad Police Station, Murugan petitioned that an atrocity case be filed against the bakery group under the PoA Act. As this happened, the court observed that police officials, including the SHO and the DSP, failed to take mandatory action under sections 10 and 18-A of the Act. Judge Chemmal criticised the DSP for not arresting the accused or filing a proper status report despite repeated court directions. He further questioned whether the officer was avoiding his duties because the accused were connected to the police. The court directed that all accused persons be arrested without delay and ordered that DSP Sankar Ganesh himself be remanded to judicial custody until September 22. The order sparked tense scenes inside the Kancheepuram court complex. The judge warned that if the accused were not produced before 5:00 PM, the DSP would be sent to jail. Around that time, court staff escorted DSP Ganesh in a vehicle bound for the sub-jail. However, in a sudden twist, he reportedly went missing for nearly 20 minutes while en route, creating confusion and tension among police, lawyers, and the public gathered outside. Shortly afterwards, the DSP reappeared and was brought to the sub-jail. Before being lodged in jail, DSP Ganesh complained of health issues and was admitted to Kancheepuram Government Hospital. Later in the night, he was shifted to Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Heavy police security was deployed at both hospitals, with more than 50 officers on duty to prevent any untoward incidents. In his written order, Judge Chemmal also pulled up Superintendent of Police (SP) K Shanmugham for failing to monitor the investigation or review the case as required under Rule 4(4) of the PoA Rules. The court observed that both officers' negligence defeated the purpose of the Act, which is to provide preventive and punitive measures for atrocity victims. The unusual arrest of a serving DSP by judicial orders created a sensation in Kancheepuram. Crowds of local residents, lawyers, and government staff gathered outside the court and hospital as events unfolded through the afternoon and evening. The incident is being seen as a strong message from the judiciary that lapses in implementing the PoA Act will not be tolerated. (ANI)
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