As Tamil Nadu probes custodial torture by IPS officer, victims say pressure to retract

The alleged victims say they are being approached by officers to “settle” the matter through direct negotiations or via lawyers and relatives — a charge the district SP has rejected.

The government moved against Singh — from the 2020 batch of the IPS, he hails from Tonk in Rajasthan – after photos and videos of the victims, including men with their teeth missing, circulated on social media, triggering outrage. Last Sunday, the DGP removed him from the post and on Wednesday, Stalin announced Singh’s suspension.

Singh did not respond to a questionnaire from The Indian Express for his comments.

At least six of the alleged victims and several officers said they believe there could be as many as 40 victims. So far, there are 13 from three police stations under Singh’s jurisdiction: Kallidaikurichi, Ambasamudram and Vikramasingapuram. Three more persons, it is learnt, are preparing to give statements against the officer in the coming days.

A top revenue official in Tirunelveli, among more than a dozen people The Indian Express spoke to regarding the matter, said, “There may be more suspensions for officers who aided Singh in the torture sessions, but steps are being taken to avoid criminal action and arrests as it would lead to termination of jobs. Two victims have already withdrawn their complaints, and three more could withdraw in the coming days.”

But M Chellappa, a 31-year-old farm hand who lost three teeth during the alleged torture on March 10, is determined to seek justice.

Chellappa detailed the attempts to sway him: “They (police) approached us through a lawyer and a relative. I will not change my statement.”

Auto driver Vetha Narayanan, a 49-year-old from Ambasamudram, who was taken into custody on March 23 following a domestic dispute, said, “I am an auto driver, not a criminal or rowdy; I have a grandchild.” He said he was taken to the first floor of the Vikramasingapuram police station, where he was allegedly tortured by Singh.

“I begged throughout as he pulled out my teeth. I asked other officers to tell him in Hindi or English that there had been a minor issue at home. No one tried to help; rather they held me forcefully. I was tortured until 11.30 am before being let off.”

He claimed he was taken to the police station again Wednesday by a Special Branch officer for a signature to deny any complaint, but he refused. Inspector C Perumal at Vikramasingapuram police station said a probe had been ordered into the alleged incident.

District SP P Saravanan rejected the charge of police officers trying to “settle” the issue. “That is a completely false charge. We are not doing that,” he said.

Saravanan said all victims can depose before the sub-collector of Cheranmahadevi until April 10 about the torture and troubles they faced.

The alleged torture cases came to light after Maha Rajan, a local lawyer practising at the Madurai bench of Madras High Court, and also an activist working for backward communities, was invited to a temple festival. A group there shared issues being faced by the village people, including the alleged custodial torture of a 22-year-old named Surya.

The youth was allegedly tortured by Singh and his teeth were pulled out for damaging three CCTV cameras while in a drunken state.

Quoting Surya’s statement, Rajan said the youth bled profusely and was later made to clean the room and told to pay Rs 45,000 for CCTV cameras within an hour, or face further torture. Rajan called a press conference to detail the allegations and petitioned the Collector.

On Wednesday, Surya retracted his statement, saying he lost his teeth in a fall.

Rajan’s videos on YouTube made others share their ordeal. Rajan and a top official have detailed the cases of Subash, Lakshmi Shankar and Venkitesh, also allegedly tortured by Singh. Subash sustained severe dental injuries, Shankar lost three teeth while Venkitesh lost a tooth.

A top official said when the SP was told about the incident, “Saravanan shouted at Singh and others who allegedly aided him, and ordered that the victims be shifted to Tirunelveli Medical College for treatment.” Asked for a comment, Saravanan said: “I cannot comment on that incident, it wouldn’t be fair to talk about it.”

Possibly the most harrowing episode was on March 10, when 8 persons, including 5 brothers, were taken into custody. The brothers, who run a mutton stall near Ambasamudram, and others were allegedly tortured by Singh.

Chellappa, one of the brothers, said the ordeal began after his friend was attacked, and his cellphone stolen. When he pressed for the return of the phone, the assailant retaliated by bringing in a gang from Tuticorin.

On March 10, Chellappa and his brothers spotted the gang on their farmland and chased them on bikes. The gang members fell off their bike in Ambasamudram town. Police showed up in three vehicles and took them all into custody.

Around 1.30 pm, Chellappa claimed, Singh entered a room wearing shorts, trousers, white gloves and sandals. Chellappa and the others were undressed. While they were allegedly held down by senior officers, Singh struck Chellappa’s teeth with sharp jelly stones. When the teeth wobbled, Singh allegedly inserted the stones into his mouth and slapped him, causing profuse bleeding, Chellappa said.

The same treatment was allegedly inflicted on the others while two younger individuals, aged 19 and 21, were kept outside.

Chellappa said he pleaded with Singh not to harm his recently-married brother, E Mariappan. However, Singh allegedly proceeded to crush the testicles of Mariappan and another brother, Isakkimuthu. They were forced to clean blood clots from the room after losing multiple teeth each, he said.

“Singh kept shouting ‘gang war, gang war’ throughout the torture session. It continued until 4.30 pm,” Chellappa alleged.

Most of the victims who spoke to The Indian Express said four-five junior officers, present at the torture sessions, were unable to communicate with Singh because they either did not want to object or couldn’t communicate with him in Hindi or English.

Chellappa’s brother E Mariappan is in hospital after losing five teeth and experiencing severe pain in the testicles. His brothers Isakkimuthu and Ruban Anthony lost their teeth, as did cousin M Mariappan. Chellappa too lost his front teeth, and two damaged teeth will have to be removed.

More officers are now under the scanner for their alleged roles: Kallidaikurichi station Inspectors Abraham, Ramalingam and Rajakumari; Special Branch officers Raj Kumar and Bogan; Ambasamudram station Inspector C Chandramohan; Singh’s two gunmen Saddam and K Vignesh.

While Inspector Rajakumari cited the ongoing probe and declined to respond to questions, Inspector Chandramohan denied any role in asking the victims to “settle” the issue. “I was on medical leave. I did not try to mediate,” he said.

Bogan did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. While Saddam was not available for comment, Vignesh said they had been called for inquiries.