Illegal detention: HC orders compensation to professor

The Madras High Court today directed Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs one lakh as "token" amount of compensation to T V Velliayahngiri, a professor who was illegally detained by the police after foisting a false case of transporting ganja.
The court also ordered quashing of the case filed against him taking note of the report filed Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural, who was earlier asked by the court to probe following a complaint by the professor's wife against the illegal detention and false case.
According to court records, a student of Sri Nadhanama College of Engineering and Technology and Educational Institutions was murdered on June 26, 2014.

A murder case was filed by Khandhilli Police Inspector Gopalakrishnan and in the guise of investigation detained Velliayahngiri, Director and Secretary of Governing Council of the Institutions for four days in September.
Later, a false case was foisted against him under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act stating that that he carried ganja in his car and further detained in the police station. He was produced before a judicial magistrate and spent 15 days in prison.
His wife then filed a petition in the High Court against the illegal detention and false case. A complaint was also sent to the High Court in this regard by authorities of the educational institution.

Taking note of the complaint, Justice S Nagamuthu had on November 13 directed Sudhakar, Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural, to probe the matter and file a report on December 22.

In his report, Sudhakar submitted that the case against the professor was false and he was kept in illegal custody.
Justice Nagamuthu, after perusing the report submitted by Sudhakar and submissions by Advocate General A L Somayaji, today directed Tamil Nadu Home Secretary to pay Rs one lakh as "token" amount of compensation to Velliayahngiri.
"It is for the government to decide about further course of action to be taken against Gopalakrishnan and hence I leave it open to the government," the judge said and ordered the DGP to forward a copy of today's order to all Superintendents of Police so as to impress upon them about their responsibility as members of police force.