As an Indian, I am proud of my country. India is a country of pluralism and diversity, whether religions are concerned or languages, cultural issues, food habits, etc. Such diversity cannot be found in any other country, as I have visited many countries and heard from many foreigners. Our judiciary is neutral, and judges have been doing their best. Here, I wish to mention the activities of an honourable judge of Tamil Nadu whom I know closely, as I have visited Tamil Nadu many times. He is the Honourable Judge of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) of Tamil Nadu, V. Kannadasan, who was selected and joined in December 2022. It is pertinent to mention that the SHRC of Tamil Nadu is for the protection and promotion of human rights. V Kannadasan, a native of Mayiladuthurai, has more than 25 years of professional experience. He is a scholarly person in the legal field, particularly in civil, criminal, and human rights cases, and also an expert in prison and prisoner rights issues. He served as a special public prosecutor for the human rights court in Chennai from 2006 to 2011.
Among his many praiseworthy activities, I wish to mention a few covering the period from December 2022 to mid-October 2024.
Case 1: The Honourable Judge passed an order during his tenure while allowing a complaint moved by a woman, R. Vasuki, a resident of Besant Nagar, Tamil Nadu. Although the incident occurred on July 11 2013, the order was passed during his tenure. On July 11, 2013, sub-inspectors S. Rajasekharan and S. Ismayil, with the constables Padmanabhan and L. Umashankar attached to an anti-land grabbing cell, Kancheepuram, trespassed in her house. For these illegal activities, after the hearing, Honourable Judge Kannadasan directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation to the victim of police access. Further, he directed the State Government to recover the money from the salaries of police personnel who were the culprits.
Case 2: This is the case of death because of drowning in a quarry. Divya, with her son Ariyan, went to an abundant quarry full of water for bathing. During the time of bathing, both died in drowning. The husband, M. Sankar, filed a complaint on June 13, 2020. After a thorough review, Honourable Judge Kannadasan directed the State Government to pay Rs. 5 lakh. Also, it is not noteworthy that the District Collector was directed to close the quarry.
Case 3: This case is related to the accident of a woman who was initially victimized by police inaction. Devi, a young woman going by two-wheelers, suffered severely as one pickup van dashed her two-wheelers from the back side on March 7, 2019. Subsequently, her left hand was amputated. But she did not get any justice from the police; Thiruvarur taluk police tried to hush up the case. After running from pillar to post, she filed a complaint to the State Human Rights Commission. The Honourable Judge of the SHRC passed a judgment and ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay her an amount of Rs 3 lakh as compensation. Also, the honourable judge reprimanded the police for their inaction and recommended the government for appropriate departmental action.
Case 4: This case is from Tirunelveli, and the incident occurred recently. It happened in a NEET coaching centre run by a person from Kerala, where more than 250 students had undergone coaching. The owner was inhuman in his behaviour. For instance, one day during the class hour, one boy slept, and he was beaten with a stick by the owner of this Centre. Secondly, students should usually keep their chappals outside the class in order. One girl student kept her chappals improperly. So, the owner took the chappals and threw them over the students amidst all their classmates. All these inhuman activities were brought to Judge Kannadasan’s notice, and he took this case on his own and wanted to take action against the owner. But the owner fled to Kerala. Anyway, a police complaint has been filed.
Case 5: This is a case of custodial death in Madurai Central prison in 2007. One person, Pulipandi, was brutally killed in Madurai Central Prison, and later on, his father alleged that the prison authorities brutally assaulted his son. Judge Kannadasan, after a thorough hearing and review, recommended to the Tamil Nadu Government to pay a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh to the legal heirs. He concluded that it was a violation of human rights. In addition to compensation, he held Assistant Jailor Syed Shahul Hammeed and two Grade I Warders, Natarajan and Jayasrelan, responsible and legal action was recommended against them.
I have presented his few verdicts out of many so that readers can understand his dynamism. I have observed that he is a fair-minded judge. I wish him more laurels in his life.
Prof Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad
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