Transfer extortion case against cops to CBI: HC reserves orders

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday reserved orders in a plea filed by a businessman to transfer the investigation from state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a case filed against city-based policemen and others for kidnapping, torturing, and forcing him and his family members to transfer his properties.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan reserved the orders after hearing the arguments of the petitioner named Rajesh, a businessman from Ayappakkam, and the respondent police. The petitioner sought direction to transfer the investigation in the case from the State CB-CID to CBI police.

Rajesh submitted through his counsel that while an assistant commissioner, inspector of police, and other policemen are accused in the case it is not fair to allow the state police to probe the case. He pleaded for transferring the case to CBI for a free and fair investigation.

Recording the submissions, Justice Ilanthiraiyan observed that as per the verdict of Allahabad HC, the state police could not investigate a case booked against its policemen. “A prima facie case is made out to shift the case to CBI,” the judge held while reserving the orders.

It is noted that according to the complainant Rajesh, it was the then Thirumangalam Assistant Commissioner of Police Sivakumar, Inspector Saravanan, sub-inspector Pandiarajan, other cops named Bala, Giri, Shankar, Kodambakkam Sri Kandan and others for kidnapping, torturing him and his family members to transfer his properties. As per the order of the DGP, CB-CID filed FIRs against the accused and many of them have been arrested in the case.