SHRC orders Rs 50k relief for man harassed by cop

Six years after a man was arrested under criminal charges based on a false land-grab complaint, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has recommended the State government to pay him Rs 50,000 as compensation. The commission has recommended disciplinary action against the inspector, from whom the compensation amount is to be recovered.

The complainant, M Velan had purchased a 1,202 sq ft land in Omsakthi Nagar in Oragadam. After constructing a house, he was living there since 2007. In November 2012, one Santha claimed that the plot belonged to her and filed a complaint with the Police Commissioner, which was forwarded to the Ambattur station. 

When Velan’s wife visited the police station with the required documents, the then inspector George Millar allegedly abused her. In November 2013, police officers went to Velan’s house and secured him around 5 am. Later, he was arrested under a criminal case.  

Though Millar claimed that the case was registered by the SI and denied any involvement, the commission found that Velan was harassed and that the case was filed only based on his instruction.

Following this, SHRC judge D Jayachandran recommended the government to pay Rs 50,000 compensation to Velan, and also recover the amount from Millar.