Madurai Custodial Death Case: Madras High Court Orders Action Against Involved Police Officers

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This week, In response to a custodial death in Madurai in 2014, the Madras High Court has directed the Director-General of Police to undertake legal and internal measures against eight police officers implicated in the incident. The directive follows a prolonged legal battle led by Maheswari, whose husband, Esakki Muthu, suffered fatal mistreatment while in police custody. In this case the violation process of investigations, several officers implicated in the case were either promoted or allowed to retire with honors, raising concerns over police accountability and the need for systemic reform.

Madurai Custodial Death Case: High Court Orders Action Against Involved Police Officers

MADURAI: This week, the Madras High Court ordered the Director-General of Police to take legal and departmental actions against eight officers involved in a man’s death in police custody in Madurai in 2014. This decision follows a long fight by Maheswari, the wife of the deceased, Esakki Muthu, who died after being tortured by the police.

Despite being under investigation, six of the involved officers either got promoted or retired honorably. This situation brings to light serious concerns about police practices and the need for reforms.

Esakki Muthu was arrested from his home, badly beaten, and then accused of murder. He died in jail from his injuries.

Responding to Maheswari’s plea, the court not only addressed the immediate need for justice but also highlighted the broader issue of custodial torture. With a compensation of Rs 5 lakh already awarded to the bereaved family, Justice Pugalendhi’s order extends further support by providing scholarships for the education of Maheswari’s children.

“Some police officers are under the impression that the investigation can be done only by torture. This attitude needs to be mended. Even after many years of independence, the scenario has not changed,” the judge observed.

Lathi and arms are given to police to safeguard themselves as well as the general public, not to be used as weapons to torture people or offenders, further he said.

Justice Pugalendhi’s remarked, as per the statistics, that 478 custodial deaths reported between 2016 and 2022, he called for an end to the normalization of torture as an interrogation technique.