Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has strongly criticized the DMK government for its failure to provide compensation to victims of custodial deaths, despite clear directives from the Madras High Court.
Condemning the state’s inaction, Palaniswami remarked, “You’re neither preventing custodial deaths nor compensating the victims’ families. What more evidence is needed to show this government is anti-people?”
He called on the government to act without delay and ensure rightful compensation is given, particularly highlighting the case of Meena, whose husband Murugan reportedly died after being assaulted by police in Sankarankovil.
EPS via his social media account stated, “In March 2024, the Madurai Bench of the High Court ordered the government to provide a government job to Meena, whose husband, Murugan, died after being assaulted by the Sankarankovil police. However, reports coming in that the DMK government has not yet provided Meena with either a government job or compensation. Mr. Stalin, your government disrespects court orders. Your police caused this woman to lose her husband, leaving her a mother of three children, who now works for a mere 300 rupees daily. Will Meena get a response from you, ‘Puppet Chief Minister? The family of Thiruppuvanam Ajith Kumar has also stated that the job and land you hastily provided are not suitable for them. You’re unable to prevent custodial deaths and unwilling to provide compensation to the families of those who died! What further proof is needed that this is an anti-people government? I urge the @mkstalin model DMK government to immediately provide proper compensation to the families of those who died due to custodial deaths.”
Case Background
In March 2024, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed that appropriate compensation and a government job be provided to Meena, the widow of M. Murugan, a van driver from Tenkasi who allegedly died after being assaulted by police officers in Sankarankovil on 8 March 2024. The court also ordered that the case be investigated by the Deputy Superintendent of Police from the CB-CID, Tirunelveli.
Justice G.R. Swaminathan issued the ruling in response to a petition filed by Meena, who had appealed for several measures, including the registration of a murder case against the involved police personnel.
According to Meena’s statement, Murugan had been returning from Achampatti after transporting a group of female devotees when his vehicle accidentally collided with an auto rickshaw. Meena alleged that three police officers arrived at the scene, hurled caste-based insults at Murugan, and assaulted him so severely that he lost consciousness. The police reportedly impounded his van and took it to the station. Although Murugan’s family later brought him to the hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. Believing her husband was a victim of custodial violence, Meena approached the court seeking justice.
Her legal counsel urged the court to recognize the incident as a custodial death and demanded fair compensation, the arrest of the responsible officers, and an investigation led by an officer of DSP rank.
On behalf of the state, the Additional Advocate General argued that compensation could not be considered unless it was officially deemed a custodial death. He also contended that the situation arose spontaneously after Murugan’s van hit an auto carrying a disabled person, which caused public unrest and traffic issues, prompting police intervention.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Swaminathan concluded that while the evidence at hand did not currently support charges under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC or the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the incident did warrant administrative attention, especially given the emotional toll on the victim’s family. The judge also noted that Murugan’s body was released to the family only after court intervention.
Acknowledging a statement from the Tenkasi Collector about offering Meena a government job, the court instructed authorities to appoint her as an Anganwadi worker within one month, with a monthly salary of approximately ₹12,000. The judge also directed that she be considered for a village assistant position when a vacancy arises, noting that she is responsible for raising three young children.
Although the court refrained from making a definitive judgment against the officers involved, it recognized that Murugan had been treated roughly and ruled that he qualified for financial aid under the Victim Compensation Scheme. The Collector was ordered to process and disburse the compensation within two months. Furthermore, while the current woman inspector handling the case was seen as acting appropriately, the court approved a DSP-led investigation based on the petitioner’s request.
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