SC orders Tamil Nadu DGP to probe into matter of police tutoring prosecution witnesses
New Delhi: The Supreme Court ordered the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) on Friday to make an enquiry into the conduct of the police officers who had allegedly tutored witnesses to depose against the accused and also take legal action against officers found guilty in the matter.
The Supreme Court bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mittal made the observations while hearing a petition challenging the Madras High Court and trial court verdicts convicting and sentencing two accused in a murder case from 2007. Examining the records of the trial court, the Justices noted that, a day prior to recording the evidence of five witnesses in the case, they were called to the police station and taught how to depose in a specific way.
Stating that the 'gross misuse of power by the police' was impermissible and stressing on the limits of power use by the police authorities, the bench said that the interference by police with the judicial process was shocking. "The Police cannot be allowed to tutor the prosecution witness. This conduct becomes more serious as other eyewitnesses, though available, were withheld," the Justices said.
The apex court bench also expressed surprise that the trial court and the Madras High Court overlooked the fact, which was a highly critical aspect, while deciding the case. The SC, therefore, asked the Tamil Nadu DGP to investigate the matter and necessary take legal action against erring officials.
Advocates G Sivabala Murugan, Mailysamy, Selvaraj Mahendran, C Adhikesavan, PV Hari Krishnan, P Soma Sundaram, R Nedumaran, B Ragunath, NC Kavitha and Vijay Kumar appeared for the accused and Senior Advocate Dr. Joseph Aristotle S and advocates Shubhi Bhardwaj and Vaidehi Rastogi appeared for the State of Tamil Nadu during the hearing of the petition.
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Schools in Mizoram's nine districts closed due to rain
Aizawl (PTI): All schools in nine districts of Mizoram remained closed on Tuesday due to heavy rain that has been lashing the northeastern state since the day before, an official said.
School Education Director Angela Zothanpuii said administrations of nine districts, including Aizawl, Kolasib, Lunglei and Mamit, announced school closure on Tuesday as a precautionary measure for students' safety.
However, schools in the southern districts of Hnahthial and Lawngtlai remained open following a slight improvement in weather conditions there, she said.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Serchhip recorded the highest rainfall at 70.5 mm in a 24-hour period, followed by Hnahthial 55 mm, Siaha 37.5 mm, and Aizawl 36 mm.
Khawzawl district reported 30 mm of rainfall, Mamit 25.9 mm, Kolasib 25 mm, Lawngtlai 17.5 mm, and Lunglei 2.2 mm during the same period, it said.
The weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning in Mizoram on Tuesday.
