Date:22/02/2009
https://www.thehindu.com/2009/02/22/stories/2009022258850800.htm
Women police appeal for exemption from court duties
| They allege harassment by advocates |
CHENNAI: Women police personnel attached to different units of the Chennai Police have made an appeal that they be exempted from being deployed on court-related work.
Accusing a section of advocates of harassing them each time they went to court on duty, injured women police, whom Commissioner of Police K. Radhakrishnan met at the hospital on Friday, sought not to be deployed on escort or bandobust work in courts.
"Their grievance will be taken up at the appropriate level. Being a disciplined force, the police cannot choose their nature of work. However, if their allegations are found to be true, we will look into the remedial measures," Mr. Radhakrishnan told The Hindu. Following representations made by some police constables who suffered injuries in the clash with advocates on the Madras High Court campus on Thursday that their personal belongings, including cash, were destroyed in the fire, Mr. Radhakrishnan asked for an assessment. The had kept their baggage in the High Court police station where it was damaged in the fire allegedly started by agitating advocates.
Since the government had offered to provide treatment to all those injured, they sought to be shifted to private hospitals. About 120 police personnel injured are now undergoing treatment in two government hospitals. "In Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, about 20 women police who were injured are accommodated in one room," an injured constable said. A group of advocates lodged a complaint with the police holding Joint Commissioner of Police (North) M. Ramasubramani and others responsible for the damage to vehicles parked on the Madras High Court campus.
"The petition is under investigation. We have registered case against 100 advocates for setting on fire a vehicle of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department," a police officer said. In a related development, the Registrar-General of the Madras High Court handed over a report on the violent incidents to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The agency is yet to get formal clearance form the CBI headquarters to commence investigation in the case, official sources said.
