A senior police officer who had been placed under suspension was arrested by the Coimbatore City Police on Saturday, 14 March 2026, in connection with allegations of sexual harassment of a woman police officer. The accused was later produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

As reported in DTNext, the arrested officer has been identified as T. Senthil Kumar, Commandant of the Tamil Nadu Special Police (TNSP) IV Battalion at Kovaipudur. The 54-year-old officer had been under suspension since February following an internal inquiry into the allegations.

According to police sources, the woman officer had initially submitted complaints in December 2025 and January 2026 to senior officials, accusing Senthil Kumar of sexual harassment. The matter was subsequently referred to the Internal Complaints Committee, also known as the Vishaka Committee, which initiated a formal inquiry.

The investigation was conducted under the supervision of a woman officer of Deputy Inspector General rank. Based on the findings, the committee recommended disciplinary action against the commandant.

Acting on the recommendation, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Kumar, on February 12, issued an order under sub-rule (e) of Rule 17 of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1955, placing Senthil Kumar under suspension with immediate effect.

Following the suspension, the complainant lodged a formal police complaint on March 12 at the Coimbatore South All Women Police Station. A case was registered, and a detailed investigation was initiated.

Police officials stated that subsequent questioning of the accused officer and preliminary findings of the investigation supported the allegations made by the complainant. Based on these findings, Senthil Kumar was arrested on Saturday.

He was later produced before a judicial magistrate and remanded in judicial custody. He is currently lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison.

 

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Meanwhile, police have constituted two special teams to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the case.

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The post Coimbatore: TN Police Commandant Arrested For Sexual Harassment Of Woman Officer appeared first on The Commune.

The recently launched website of the Tamil Nadu Police has drawn criticism from sections of the legal community after it restricted public access to First Information Reports (FIRs), allowing only specific parties connected to a case to view or download the documents.

As reported in The Hindu, under the new system, only the accused, the victim, or the complainant in a case can access the FIR through the portal. Members of the general public and third parties are no longer able to view or download FIRs from the website.

The portal has been developed as part of the CCTNS 2.0 (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) upgrade and integrated with the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS). Through this integration, police records can be shared in real time with courts, forensic science laboratories, prisons, and prosecution departments.

Authorities say key ICJS applications such as e-Sakshya, used for digital evidence management, and e-Summon, which enables electronic service of summons, have already been implemented across the State.

Advocates Raise Accessibility Concerns

However, defence lawyers and legal practitioners have raised concerns that even advocates are unable to access FIRs through the portal.

Advocate S. Karthikeyan said the system poses practical difficulties for many citizens. According to him, individuals must register their personal details, including mobile numbers and email IDs, and create login credentials in order to access most services under CCTNS 2.0.

He argued that such requirements could disadvantage non-literate, rural, and elderly citizens, who may be forced to rely on private browsing centres to complete the registration process.

Karthikeyan also questioned whether the mandatory collection of personal data for accessing services complies with the provisions of the **Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Another advocate practising before the Madras High Court, M. Palanimuthu, said that providing controlled access to advocates would benefit the justice system and save valuable court time.

He said that if advocates were given dedicated login credentials, they could interact directly with officials on behalf of clients. This would enable them to serve copies of applications to prosecutors and investigating officers, as well as communicate requests to prison authorities for inmates, including applications for medical treatment.

Palanimuthu added that electronic acknowledgement of submissions through the portal could help streamline several processes.

Some advocates also complained that documents downloaded by authorised users from the portal are often unclear, which could create complications in legal proceedings such as accident compensation claims.

Police Cite Privacy Concerns

Officials from the State Crime Records Bureau defended the new system, stating that the website was designed after detailed deliberation.

They explained that while the previous website allowed third-party access to FIRs, the facility had been withdrawn in the new portal to safeguard privacy.

According to officials, only individuals whose mobile numbers were recorded during FIR registration—the complainant, victim, or accused—are now able to retrieve the document.

They argued that making FIRs publicly accessible online could reveal sensitive details. For example, in cases involving hurt or criminal intimidation, the FIR might contain abusive words allegedly used by the accused. Similarly, in theft or robbery cases, details of household items could become publicly available.

Despite the privacy argument, some legal experts have questioned the decision to restrict access to FIRs.

Advocate Naveenkumar Murthy said that FIRs are generally considered public documents and should ordinarily be accessible to the public, except in limited cases where the victim’s identity or privacy needs to be protected.

He also pointed out that the Madras High Court had directed the State in May 2025 to implement the CCTNS 2.0 system by September 2025, noting that the rollout had already been delayed.

Murthy argued that preventing access to FIRs through the portal effectively denies the press and the public their legal right to information and access to justice.

The issue has now triggered a broader debate over how to balance privacy protections with transparency and public access to criminal records in the era of digital policing.

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The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has refused bail to police personnel arrested in the custodial death case of temple security guard Ajithkumar, observing that the judiciary would “teach a lesson to the police” and expressing anguish that a man had been “beaten to death for nothing.”

Hearing bail petitions filed by some of the arrested officers, Justice Sreemathi adjourned the matter to February 17 and directed that the accused remain in custody until the conclusion of trial.

The case relates to the death of Ajithkumar, who was working as a security guard at the Madapuram Badrakali Amman Temple near Tiruppuvanam. He was picked up for inquiry on 27 June 2025, following a complaint that jewellery had gone missing from the temple. He died the next day, June 28, after alleged custodial torture.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, informed the High Court that its inquiry had confirmed Ajithkumar’s death as a custodial killing. The agency also told the court that the jewellery theft complaint lodged against him had no factual basis and had been closed.

Video footage of the assault had surfaced earlier. A postmortem examination documented around 40 injuries on Ajithkumar’s body, confirming severe physical abuse.

Five members of a special police team, Anand, Kannan, Raja, Prabhu and Sankar Manikandan were arrested in connection with the case and lodged in Madurai Central Prison. During the hearing of their bail pleas, the CBI submitted that Ajithkumar’s death was a confirmed custodial death and that as many as ten officials named in the FIR were linked to the incident.

According to the agency, those facing cases include a DSP, an Inspector, a Head Constable and members of the special team involved in the inquiry.

Questioning the basis of the original complaint, the judge asked whether action would be taken against the complainant, noting that an innocent man had been brutally assaulted in a case that did not exist. The court also sought to know whether there had been any prior enmity between the victim and the officers.

The CBI informed the court that there was no prior enmity and that the assault occurred during questioning carried out on the instructions of senior officials.

Observing that a person had been beaten to death over a baseless case, the court said the accused must remain in prison and stressed the need to send a strong message to law enforcement authorities.

The High Court had earlier ordered interim compensation of ₹25 lakh to Ajithkumar’s family. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin had transferred the investigation to the CBI, stating that the probe must be beyond reproach, and had publicly apologised to the victim’s family.

Source: NDTV

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The post “Beaten To Death For Nothing”: Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court Denies Bail To TN Cops In Ajithkumar Custodial Death Case appeared first on The Commune.

Three police constables in the Nilgiris district were placed under suspension on Tuesday after a departmental probe in a drug trafficking case revealed that they had procured and consumed ganja while on duty.

The suspended personnel are Abisekaran of Erumadu Police Station, Mayakannan of Kotagiri Police Station, and Santhakumar of Masinagudi Police Station. The suspension orders were issued by Nilgiris Superintendent of Police N. S. Nisha after an internal inquiry confirmed their involvement.

The action follows a series of arrests made after a routine vehicle check conducted by Ooty Town Central Police on January 21. During the check, police intercepted Cruz (26), a resident of Ooty, and found ganja in his possession. Further questioning revealed the involvement of Nazeer Ahmed (26), a constable attached to the Ooty Central Police Station, in the sale of the narcotic substance.

Based on Nazeer Ahmed’s confession, police traced the supply chain to Mohanasundaram (34), a resident of Attapadi in Kerala. A subsequent operation led to the seizure of 17.5 kg of ganja from Mohanasundaram’s possession. Cruz, Nazeer Ahmed, and Mohanasundaram were arrested and later remanded in judicial custody.

The case had further ramifications within the police department. Ooty Town Traffic Sub-Inspector Arun and Jayakumar, a special wing constable from Ooty Central Police Station, were transferred to Gudalur and Devala police stations respectively for failing to alert senior officials about the ganja network operating in the area.

During the continued inquiry, investigators found that Abisekaran, Mayakannan, and Santhakumar had purchased ganja from Nazeer Ahmed and consumed it during duty hours. Following this revelation, all three were placed under suspension.

Police officials said further investigation is under way to determine whether any other police personnel were involved in procuring narcotics from the accused constable or linked to the trafficking network.

Source: Times of India

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The post Dravidian Model: Three Policemen In Nilgiris Suspended After Probe Exposes Ganja Use During Duty Hours appeared first on The Commune.

Police on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, detained 890 primary school teachers who attempted to march towards Fort St George as part of an ongoing protest demanding “equal pay for equal work”.

The protest, now in its 27th day, is being organised by the Intermediate Registered Seniority Teachers’ Association, representing intermediate-level teachers working in Tamil Nadu government primary schools. The teachers have been staging demonstrations since the 26th of last month, laying siege to various government offices in Chennai to press their demand for pay parity.

The protesters assembled at Chennai Fort railway station and began a march towards Fort St George. Police stopped the procession, following which arguments broke out between the teachers and the police personnel on duty. When the teachers attempted to proceed despite the restriction, police detained 890 participants.

During the detention, protesting teachers alleged that food and drinking water were not provided to them. This led to further arguments with the police. According to the teachers, police personnel responded by stating that they had not been given funds by the government to arrange food for the detainees.

The protestors reiterated that they would continue their agitation until their demand for equal pay for equal work is met by the state government.

Source: Dinamalar

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The post Day 27 Of Teachers’ Protest Demanding Equal Pay For Equal Work: Police Stop March To Secretariat, Taken Into Custody appeared first on The Commune.

A woman who survived the terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia has accused police of failing to act decisively during the shooting and of preventing her from attempting to stop the attackers.

Speaking on Monday’s episode of The Erin Molan Show, survivor Vanessa Miller described moments of chaos and fear as a father and son opened fire on the gathering, killing at least 16 people and injuring around 40 others. One of the attackers was shot dead by police at the scene, while the other was wounded and taken into custody.

Miller said police officers appeared more focused on restraining her than confronting the attackers.

“This is where it’s just so real and so disappointing in our government. These police officers were hiding behind a car. I tried to grab one of their guns. One grabs me. He says, ‘No,’” she said.

Expressing anger at what she described as police inaction, Miller said, “These men, these police officers, they know who I am. And I hope they’re hearing this. You are weak. You could have saved so many more people’s lives. They were just standing there listening and watching this all happen, holding me back.”

She claimed only two officers were present at the scene initially.

“Two police officers. Where are the others? Not there. Nobody was there. Everyone, the public, helped. Nobody else.”

Miller also recounted being separated from her three-year-old daughter during the attack and said her child was saved by a bystander.

“My little three-year-old was saved by a pregnant woman who saw her crying and screaming, ‘Mommy, daddy,’ running around while everyone was on the floor. She’s lucky to be alive. And I know that today.”

Describing the emotional toll of the attack, Miller said the experience was deeply traumatic.

“It was so traumatic. We’re looking at celebrating Hanukkah, a festival of light. Last night we lit Hanukkah candles, and our message was encouraging people around the world to light candles for the victims that perished and for those in hospital.”

She said the attack reflected a broader failure to protect the Jewish community despite known threats.

“We’ve got to fight this antisemitism. How can we not be entitled to go to a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach and be shot at like animals—like sitting ducks?”

Miller directly criticised the Australian government, alleging prior awareness of threats.

“The government has to do more. They know there’s a threat against the Jewish people. They’ve got blood on their hands, and they know it. They will deny, deny, deny—but they know it.”

The attackers were identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, both described as being of Pakistani descent. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the two had reportedly travelled to the Philippines, where they received training prior to carrying out the attack. Police also reportedly found homemade ISIS flags inside Naveed Akram’s vehicle.

Australia introduced strict gun control laws following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, mandating the surrender of semi-automatic and certain pump-action firearms. Despite these laws, one of the attackers was reported to have used a pump-action shotgun with an extended magazine during the Bondi Beach attack.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Source: Independent Journal Review

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The Supreme Court has transferred the investigation into the Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives during a TVK rally on 27 September 2025, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), observing that comments made by senior Tamil Nadu police officers before the media may create doubts about the impartiality of the ongoing probe by the State’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).

“Looking to the political undertone of the case and the fact that, without having regard to the gravity of the incident, the comments made before the media by top officers of the Police Department may create doubt in the minds of the citizenry on impartiality and fair investigation,” the bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice NV Anjarao said in its order.

The Court noted that petitioners had raised concerns that an investigation conducted by the same police force, whose top officials had publicly exonerated their subordinates, “would lack the element of fairness and impartiality.” The Bench added, “Prima facie, this fact in itself creates a doubt in the minds of the general public about the independence and impartiality of the investigation.”

Describing the tragedy as one that “has definitely left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country,” the Court said that with 41 people dead and over 100 injured, the incident raises questions regarding the fundamental rights of victims’ families and demands a “fair, independent and credible investigation.” The Bench emphasized, “The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored in the criminal justice system, and one way to instill such trust is by ensuring that the investigation is completely impartial, independent and unbiased.”

Invoking its extraordinary powers to ensure public confidence, the Court issued interim directions transferring the investigation of FIR No. 855/2025, registered at Karur Town Police Station, to the CBI. “The Director, CBI, shall appoint a senior officer to take charge of the case and form a team to assist in the investigation,” the Court said. The Superintendent of Police and SHO of Karur Town PS, along with the SIT constituted by the High Court and the Enquiry Commission set up by the Chief Minister, have been directed to hand over all case records, evidence, and digital material to the CBI immediately.

Additionally, the Supreme Court formed a three-member Supervisory Committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi and two senior IPS officers (to be chosen by Justice Rastogi), to monitor the CBI probe.

Highlighting the constitutional importance of fair investigation, the Court said, “There cannot be any doubt that fair investigation is the right of a citizen.”

The stampede occurred during a TVK rally in Karur, resulting in 41 deaths and injuries to over 100 persons. The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) had earlier refused to order a CBI investigation, prompting multiple petitions in the Supreme Court. TVK had approached the Court challenging the Madras High Court Chennai Bench’s order constituting an SIT of only Tamil Nadu officers to probe the incident.

(Source: Live Law)

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The post “Media Comments By TN Police May Create Doubts On Probe,” Supreme Court On Karur Stampede appeared first on The Commune.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Secretary A. Asuvathaman has demanded that a criminal case be registered against Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan after a shocking incident outside the Madras High Court, where a lawyer was allegedly assaulted by VCK goons following a minor collision involving the MP’s car.

In a shocking display of hooliganism in broad daylight, VCK goons allegedly assaulted a lawyer, simply for questioning a car driver who had hit him. The car, notably, was carrying VCK leader Thiru @thirumaofficial.

Ironically, what makes it worse is that Thiru @thirumaofficial… pic.twitter.com/ZOk8fm9gm9

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) October 7, 2025

According to Asuvathaman’s statement, the incident occurred when a lawyer on a two-wheeler reportedly came near Thirumavalavan’s vehicle in front of the High Court premises. The VCK leader’s car allegedly brushed against the two-wheeler, leading to an altercation. Eyewitnesses claimed that VCK supporters accompanying Thirumavalavan attacked the lawyer on the spot. The injured lawyer was later seen running into the Madras Bar Council building for safety, with the video of the incident now circulating widely on social media.

Asuvathaman described the attack as a “blatant assault right in front of the temple of law” and said it had “shaken the conscience of the legal fraternity.” He questioned how VCK cadres had the audacity to attack a lawyer right in front of the Madras High Court complex, saying it reflected the “complete collapse of law and order in Tamil Nadu.”

He accused the DMK-led government of creating a culture of impunity, stating that the lax enforcement of law had emboldened political mobs to act violently even within the premises of the judiciary. He said the ruling party’s inaction had left lawyers— “those who protect the law”—vulnerable to such attacks.

Calling for strong institutional action, the BJP leader urged the Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA) to immediately intervene and declare a major protest against what he termed “an attack on the legal community.” He warned that silence from the association would be tantamount to approving violence against lawyers.

Asuvathaman also appealed to the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Bar Councils to take cognizance of the incident, pointing out that the assault occurred right at the doorstep of the Bar Council building. He said that with Bar Council elections approaching, the members must reflect on their responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of the legal profession.

He further demanded that the Tamil Nadu Police identify and arrest all those involved in the assault, naming Thirumavalavan as the prime accused. “If the forces inciting violence go unpunished, law and order in Tamil Nadu will be in question,” his statement said.

Asuvathaman called on the Madras High Court to take up the case suo motu, emphasizing that the court must act to safeguard its own dignity and the public’s trust in the judiciary. He said that allowing such a violent act to go unaddressed would damage the court’s reputation for impartial justice.

Concluding his statement, the BJP State Secretary urged the Tamil Nadu government to enact a Lawyers Protection Act to ensure the safety of advocates, including provisions shielding them from misuse of certain laws, such as the SC/ST Act, in cases involving professional disputes.

Asuvathaman said the incident exemplified the deteriorating security climate under the current administration and demanded immediate, visible action against both the assailants and their political leaders.

உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தின் முன்பாகவே வழக்கறிஞர் மீது தாக்குதல். திருமாவளவன் மீது வழக்கு பதியவேண்டும்.

பாஜக மாநில செயலாளர் அஸ்வத்தாமன் அறிக்கை

இன்று சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றம் சென்ற விசிக தலைவர் திருமாவளவன், தன்னுடைய ஆடம்பர காரின் முன் வழிகொடுத்து விலகாமல், இடையூறாக இருசக்கரவாகனத்தில்… pic.twitter.com/OwEAi2Wvk4

— Ashvathaman Allimuthu (@asuvathaman) October 7, 2025

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The post VCK Hit & Run Incident: BJP’s Asuvathaman Calls For Filing Case Against Thirumavalavan Whose Car Rammed A Motorist Who Was Also Thrashed By VCK Goons appeared first on The Commune.

A scuffle broke out near the Madras High Court in Chennai on 7 October 2025 after a vehicle carrying Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan was involved in a minor collision with a two-wheeler. The incident led to chaos when members of Thirumavalavan’s entourage allegedly assaulted the motorist involved in the accident.

According to eyewitnesses, the car in which Thirumavalavan was travelling reportedly brushed against a two-wheeler, prompting an argument between the rider and the driver. The situation escalated when several VCK goons accompanying the leader allegedly attacked the rider and damaged the vehicle. The altercation took place in the vicinity of the High Court, leading to public outrage over the conduct of the political workers.

BJP leader K. Annamalai condemned the incident on social media, describing it as an act of hooliganism in broad daylight. He alleged that the victim, identified as a lawyer, was beaten for merely questioning the car driver who had hit him. He further pointed out the irony that Thirumavalavan had been returning from a protest condemning the recent attack on Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai, only for his own supporters to be involved in an assault soon after.

Annamalai also criticised the state government and police, questioning whether a case would be registered in the same manner as in previous instances where vehicles linked to opposition figures, including actor-politician Vijay, were involved in minor collisions. He called for the immediate seizure of Thirumavalavan’s vehicle and action against those involved in the assault.

Sharing the video of the incident on X, he wrote, “In a shocking display of hooliganism in broad daylight, VCK goons allegedly assaulted a lawyer, simply for questioning a car driver who had hit him. The car, notably, was carrying VCK leader Thiru @thirumaofficial. Ironically, what makes it worse is that Thiru @thirumaofficial avl was returning from a protest condemning the attack on the Chief Justice of India, only for his own entourage to attack an advocate soon after.”

In a shocking display of hooliganism in broad daylight, VCK goons allegedly assaulted a lawyer, simply for questioning a car driver who had hit him. The car, notably, was carrying VCK leader Thiru @thirumaofficial.

Ironically, what makes it worse is that Thiru @thirumaofficial… pic.twitter.com/ZOk8fm9gm9

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) October 7, 2025

The police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or confirmed whether any complaints have been filed. The episode has sparked fresh political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling alliance of double standards in handling law and order violations linked to its allies.

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The post Dravidian Model: VCK Goons Beat Motorist, Break Scooter Over Minor Collision With Thirumavalavan’s Car appeared first on The Commune.

Two police officers were arrested today (30 September 2025) for the alleged sexual assault of a young woman from Andhra Pradesh in a shocking incident that has sent waves of outrage through the district.

The accused, identified as Sub-Inspector Suresh Raj and Constable Sundar attached to the Tiruvannamalai East Police Station, were taken into custody following a formal complaint by the victim.

According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred on the Enthal Bypass Road where the two officers were stationed for vehicle inspection duty. A small cargo vehicle carrying fruits from Andhra Pradesh, with two sisters as passengers, was stopped for routine inspection.

The police allegedly separated the two siblings during the inspection. In a deeply disturbing turn of events, the officers are accused of taking the women to a nearby grove in the Enthal area where one of them was sexually assaulted in the presence of her sister.

After the alleged assault, the officers reportedly threatened the women before leaving the scene. The victim was subsequently admitted to the Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College Hospital for medical treatment and examination, with additional police security deployed at the facility.

Local authorities have confirmed the arrest of both police personnel and stated that a serious investigation is underway. The police are actively interrogating the accused officers to establish the complete sequence of events and determine the extent of the crime.

This incident has caused widespread shock and anger among local residents, raising serious questions about police conduct and women’s safety in the region. The case has drawn immediate political attention, with opposition leaders already demanding accountability from the state administration.

The investigation continues as authorities work to gather all relevant evidence and ensure justice for the victims.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

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The post Dravidian Model: 2 Cops Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Girl In Front Of Her Sister appeared first on The Commune.