Madras high court refuses to interfere in SHRC recommendation against woman sub-inspector; reason her 'arrogance'

CHENNAI: Madras high court has refused to interfere in State Human Rights Commission’s (SHRC) recommendation for severe disciplinary action against a woman sub-inspector of police and Rs 5lakh compensation to a complainant. The high court cited “arrogance” on the part of the woman sub-inspector for not interfering in the SHRC recommendation as the SI had failed to respond to notices issued by the commission and produce documents sought by it (SHRC) on a complaint that alleged abuse of power and ‘brutal assault.’

“By noticing the conduct of Magitha Anna Christy (sub-inspector) in the light of serious allegations made against her, coupled with her arrogance in not filing counter before the SHRC, and her failure to produce the relevant records despite a direction by the commission, in our considered view, she is not entitled for any indulgence of this court,” a division bench of Justice Anita Sumanth and Justice Mummineni Sudheer Kumar said.


The court made the observation while dismissing a plea moved by the sub-inspector challenging the recommendation of the SHRC dated April 19, 2021. The issue pertains to a complaint made by S Thamaraiselvi before the SHRC alleging abuse of power and brutal assault by the sub-inspector while she was attached to the Guduvancherry police station on the outskirts of Chennai.

Taking the complaint on record, the commission issued a notice to the sub-inspector. She responded to the notice and entered appearance through a counsel. But despite affording several opportunities, she failed to file any counter to the complaint.

The commission, after examining the records produced by the complainant, awarded Rs 5 lakh compensation to the complainant and ordered severe disciplinary action against her. The commission also took note of the fact that the sub-inspector, being a responsible officer in the disciplined force, had failed to file her counter and produce the relevant records despite specific direction issued by the SHRC.

Aggrieved, Magitha Anna Christy moved the high court seeking to call for the records of the recommendation of the commission and quash the same.