Arni DSP to pay Rs 5 lakh for overseeing crop destruction

Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered Rs 5 lakh compensation to a land owner whose paddy crop was damaged by using a tractor in the presence of then Arni deputy superintendent of police Jareena Begam who interfered in a civil dispute.

SHRC member D Jayachandran has also directed the Tamil Nadu government to initiate disciplinary action against Begam and recover the amount from her personal funds.

The issue pertains to a visit made by the DSP on December 23, 2018 to Kamakur village in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, to interfere in a civil dispute between Savithri and her cousin, Samundeeswari, over their ancestral land.

It was alleged that while making an inquiry, the DSP allowed a man driving a tractor to mow down paddy crop on the disputed land. A video of the entire incident was widely shared on social media.

Alleging human rights violation by the officer, Savithri and her family moved the SHRC. Savithri died while the complaint was pending with the commission. Her family members pursed the case.

Allowing the complaint, the commission said, “It is the duty of the DSP to protect the human and legal rights of the citizen. But she has taken the law into her hands and violated the human rights of Savithri. Therefore, this commission is of the considered view that the legal heirs of the complainant are entitled to get a compensation.”