The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has sought a report from the Director-General of Police in eight weeks on the alleged killing of a history-sheeter when police opened fire in Salem.
The SHRC chairperson, Justice T. Meenakumari, took cognisance of the communication received from Salem Superintendent of Police S. Deepa Ganiger over the incident. The history-sheeter, S. Kathirvel, was allegedly involved in several criminal cases.
The Commission also sought a detailed report along with relevant documents from the Principal Secretary to Government, Public (Law & Order) Department, within six weeks.
‘Warned first’
According to the police, the history-sheeter was an accused in eight cases. On May 2, when the police attempted to arrest him, he tried to escape. The police claim he was warned before he was shot in the chest.
Ms. Ganiger said the case would be referred to the Chief Judicial Magistrate for an inquiry and a judicial probe would be conducted into the matter. The deceased’s family has raised suspicions about the police version of the events and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.