The National Human Rights Commission has sent a notice to the Tamil Nadu government and the state's police chief over reports that a traffic policeman allegedly kicked a moving motorcycle carrying a couple that led to the death of a pregnant woman after she suffered a fall near Trichy.
The NHRC, in a statement today, observed that if the content of the reports is true, it amounts to the "worst example of police brutality".
The right to life of the innocent woman has been grossly violated and the circumstances, as mentioned in the reports, "warrant stringent action against the guilty policeman".
The NHRC has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police of Tamil Nadu and sought a detailed report in four weeks.
The 30-year-old woman's husband was also seriously injured in the incident in the Thuvakudi area near Trichy. The delinquent police official reportedly fled the scene when people began to gather at the spot, the Commission said.
The rights panel has asked that the report should include the details about the action taken against the delinquent police official and relief granted to the family of the deceased woman, as well as the health condition of her husband, and the status of the medical treatment being provided to him.
The Commission said, it expected that the DGP will issue suitable directions to the state police personnel to behave in a sensible manner while on duty, and respect the human rights of the citizens.
While issuing the notice, the Commission further observed that police force is meant to enforce the law and protect the people but frenzied actions in exercise of their powers may lead to such unfortunate incidents.
"Going by the media reports, the woman was not wearing helmet," it said.
The police officer could have easily sensed that hitting a moving vehicle may cause grievous injuries to her if she fell down, it added.
According to the reports, the couple was riding on their motorcycle near BHEL headquarters when a police team asked them to stop. When they did not stop, an inspector chased them on another bike and after a short distance, kicked their vehicle due to which the couple fell on the ground.
"The victim sustained head injuries and died on the spot yesterday (March 7). Later, the doctors at Thuvakudi government hospital declared the woman dead. Reportedly, the police official was drunk and he has been arrested," the NHRC said.
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