National Human Rights Commission issues notice to Tamil Nadu government

In a statement, the commission said that the incident betrayed a total lack of responsibility on the part of the police and officials. The commission issued the notice taking cognizance of a complaint that the couple took the extreme step after their repeated petitions to the collector seeking relief from unwarranted harassment by a moneylender fell on deaf ears. 

“Despite having paid Rs 2.34 lakh towards the principal and interests against the loan of Rs 1.45 lakh, the victim was facing harassment from the moneylender for payment of Rs 2 lakh more,” the statement said. 

Under the notice, the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, District Collector and SP have been asked to submit a report within four weeks to the commission. The commission also observed that Muthu, a labourer, had submitted petitions to the Tirunelveli Collector at six weekly grievance redressal meetings seeking police intervention. The police, instead of taking action on his complaints, had been harassing the victim’s family in connivance with the moneylender, it said.