The Madras High Court today came down heavily on police for "unpardonable negligence" in probing the death of a child, who fell into an open storm water drain in 2013, and directed departmental action against the delinquent official.
"This is an unpardonable negligence on behalf of whoever was responsible for the same in the Police Department and we cannot rest the matter at only filing of the charge sheet," the court said.
Lambasting the police department for its lethargic attitude in investigating the June 15, 2013 death of the child, the court directed that departmental proceedings be initiated against the errant official.
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"We direct departmental proceedings to be initiated against the delinquent officer with all seriousness to fix the responsibility and the result of the same should be placed before the court."
The matter relates to a PIL petition filed by social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy in 2013.
The plea related to issues, including bad road conditions and negligence of government officials vis-a-vis allotment of tenders for storm water drains and drainage.
On October 17, the court had directed the appearance of the Police Deputy Commissioner, Adayar Range and the Corporation Commissioner in the court on the matter.
In compliance, the officials were present in the court today. It was brought to the notice of the court that the investigation into the child's death was completed in 2013 itself and charge sheet was filed now.
Directing initiation of departmental proceedings against the delinquent officers, the court in its order said, "We make it clear that we will not accept the usual wishy-washy way of imposition of some minor punishment on a junior officer, as the matter relates to the very probity of the functioning of the department."
The court noted that the deputy police commissioner "undertakes to the court to do the needful."
The Additional Advocate General had submitted that the issue of fixing administrative responsibility for the negligence in Corporation was being reviewed.
The AAG said necessary departmental proceedings will be initiated and the court directed him to submit details on it.
A criminal case had been registered against two corporation officials, charging them for the unfortunate death of the child.
The court posted the matter to January 30, 2017.
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