11 days after Subasri’s death, Jayagopal yet to be arrested
Activists want former AIADMK councillor to be declared an absconding offender
23/09/2019, VIVEK NARAYANAN,CHENNAI
S. Jayagopal
It has been 11 days since R. Subasri was run over by a water tanker in Pallikaranai, after an illegal banner fell on her. But S. Jayagopal, a former AIADMK councillor, who had put up the banners for his son’s wedding, is yet to be arrested.
While senior police officers say they are still searching for him and that he has been booked under Section 308 of the IPC that could put him in jail for seven years, social activists want the police to declare him an absconding offender.
They wonder how the AIADMK functionary has remained elusive for 11 days.
While the driver of the water tanker was immediately arrested, Mr. Jayagopal has not been arrested, though he was named in the first FIR.
Senior police officers say the St. Thomas Mount traffic investigation wing has registered a case against him under Section 308 of the IPC (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
Seven years in prison
“We had initially registered a case under Section 336 of the IPC (act endangering life and personal safety of others). Under Section 308, he will be behind bars for seven years, once arrested,” said a police officer. Meanwhile, human rights’ activists want the police to declare him an absconding offender and proceed with the case.
“There is no need for custodial investigation in the case. They can file a charge sheet based on witness statement and get him conviction,” said advocate Sudha Ramalingam. She felt the police had the wherewithal to arrest him, but this was not happening due to lack of political will. “Police personnel continue to succumb to political pressure,” she charged.
Jayaram Venkatesan, convener, Arappor Iyakkam, wondered why the police were not able to track him despite extensive CCTV installation in the city. “It either shows the police do not have the skill or that they are colluding with the politician,” he alleged.
A few days after Ms. Subasri’s death, banners and cutouts were found in Kannagi Nagar.
“The Chennai Corporation gave a complaint, but no FIR has been registered. In Madurai, an ordinary citizen was arrested for putting up posters. The police will not touch politicians,” he said.
Activists say people will lose hope in the judicial system and the police if Jayagopal is not arrested.
When asked for a reaction, a senior police officer said: “His phone is not reachable, we are tracking him using all possible methods.”
Activists want former AIADMK councillor to be declared an absconding offender
23/09/2019, VIVEK NARAYANAN,CHENNAI
S. Jayagopal
It has been 11 days since R. Subasri was run over by a water tanker in Pallikaranai, after an illegal banner fell on her. But S. Jayagopal, a former AIADMK councillor, who had put up the banners for his son’s wedding, is yet to be arrested.
While senior police officers say they are still searching for him and that he has been booked under Section 308 of the IPC that could put him in jail for seven years, social activists want the police to declare him an absconding offender.
They wonder how the AIADMK functionary has remained elusive for 11 days.
While the driver of the water tanker was immediately arrested, Mr. Jayagopal has not been arrested, though he was named in the first FIR.
Senior police officers say the St. Thomas Mount traffic investigation wing has registered a case against him under Section 308 of the IPC (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
Seven years in prison
“We had initially registered a case under Section 336 of the IPC (act endangering life and personal safety of others). Under Section 308, he will be behind bars for seven years, once arrested,” said a police officer. Meanwhile, human rights’ activists want the police to declare him an absconding offender and proceed with the case.
“There is no need for custodial investigation in the case. They can file a charge sheet based on witness statement and get him conviction,” said advocate Sudha Ramalingam. She felt the police had the wherewithal to arrest him, but this was not happening due to lack of political will. “Police personnel continue to succumb to political pressure,” she charged.
Jayaram Venkatesan, convener, Arappor Iyakkam, wondered why the police were not able to track him despite extensive CCTV installation in the city. “It either shows the police do not have the skill or that they are colluding with the politician,” he alleged.
A few days after Ms. Subasri’s death, banners and cutouts were found in Kannagi Nagar.
“The Chennai Corporation gave a complaint, but no FIR has been registered. In Madurai, an ordinary citizen was arrested for putting up posters. The police will not touch politicians,” he said.
Activists say people will lose hope in the judicial system and the police if Jayagopal is not arrested.
When asked for a reaction, a senior police officer said: “His phone is not reachable, we are tracking him using all possible methods.”
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