SHRC seeks report from Idol Wing chief

Asked if arrest was in keeping with rules

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday sought a detailed report from the Director General of Police and Idol Wing Special Officer A.G. Ponn Manickavel as to whether the arrest of retired IAS officer M. Veera Shanmuga Moni was in accordance with the judgments of the Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission.

While passing orders on a complaint from Mr. Moni, who was arrested and later given bail, SHRC member D. Jayachandran also sought to know whether the police action had tarnished the image and reputation of the complainant as alleged in the complaint. The Commission sought a report within four weeks.

In his complaint, Mr. Moni said that he was arrested at his residence by a policeman posing as a visitor.

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At the time of arrest, the Idol Wing police did not provide him any information nor did they inform his family members, the complainant stated.

Later, a policeman informed the retired officer’s wife that he was being taken to the Idol Wing office in Guindy, but was taken to Kumbakonam instead. Mr. Moni pointed out that the Idol Wing police did not follow Section 41 A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“The acts of the Idol Wing headed by Ponn Manickavel in making unnecessary arrest in a hasty manner without due process of law only shows that he has vested interest in projecting himself as a hero, aimed only to harass me and not for the purpose of meeting the ends of justice,” the complaint alleged.