Mangaluru, August 12: President of Mangaluru Bar Association, S.P. Chengappa on Wednesday August 12th addressing the media in a press meet condemned the move of revoking of suspension of inspector T D Nagaraj and transferring him as in-charge of Bajpe police station. He said this is a ridiculation of judiciary as well as the law.
Inspector T D Nagaraj who was working Kadri police station had been suspended for allegedly assaulting lawyer Uttam Rai when the lawyer along with a client had visited Kadri police station on July 31st. Nagaraj was suspended, following intense protest by the lawyers. But his suspension was revoked on Tuesday August 11th, and he was transferred to Bajpe police station.
Chengappa said, the case against Nagaraj was filed on non-bailable offences and he should have been arrested. Nagaraj was suspended following the demand of lawyers and FIR was filed. When I spoke to the police commissioner after the incident, he had agreed for an impartial probe and suspended the police. But now the sacredness of the suspension order is lost. We demand an unbiased probe, he said.
Chengappa, alleging that Nagaraj had political backing said, whatever the case be, none is above the law. There are instances of chief ministers being arrested. Nagaraj could have at least taken anticipatory bail. After the incident, Nagaraj also filed a false counter case against lawyer Uttam Rai. One who is supposed to abide by law is breaking it. If this is the situation of lawyers, then what about the common man?, queried Chengappa.
Chengappa also said that lawyer Uttam Rai has submitted a writ petition in the high court urging that the suspension order against T D Nagaraj should not be revoked till proper probe is done. The court’s verdict is expected on Monday August 17th. However, despite knowing that such a writ petition had been submitted in the high court, the police commissioner went forward and revoked the suspension, he claimed.
We are protesting in public interest and it is our duty to defend our clients. If such incidents continue, what will our clients do? There have been custodial deaths in the undivided Dakshina Kannada over the few days, so we want to create public awareness, Chengappa said.
He also said, they would hold a campaign demanding installation of CCTVs in each police station, sub-registrar’s office and in MUDA office. Urging for establishment of human rights courts in each district to deal with violation of human rights and to uphold Constitutional rights of citizens, they would also meet the chief justice of Karnataka high court.
He said, they would be meeting home minister K J George with the help of MLC Ivan D’Souza [who is also a member of the bar association] urging for probe by CID or other external agencies, Chengappa added.
