Remanded DSP Approaches Madras HC Seeking Immediate Relief
Kancheepuram DSP challenges court over SC/ST case inaction.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kancheepuram Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) M Shankar Ganesh, remanded by a sessions court for alleged inaction in a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, has sought relief from the Madras High Court, sources confirmed on Tuesday. The unprecedented judicial action against the serving DSP has sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu’s law enforcement community.
On Monday, the Principal Sessions Court in Kancheepuram, led by Special Judge Pa U Chemmal, ordered Shankar Ganesh’s arrest and judicial remand until September 22. The court took suo motu cognisance of the DSP’s alleged failure to act promptly in a case linked to the "bakery violence" in Walajabad, registered under the SC/ST Act. A petitioner had accused the police of inaction despite a complaint being lodged a month earlier, prompting the judge to reprimand Shankar Ganesh, the investigating officer, for non-compliance with the Act’s provisions.
Following the court’s order, Shankar Ganesh, reportedly suffering from high blood pressure, was admitted to a government hospital for treatment and observation, where he remained until Tuesday afternoon. Despite his hospitalisation, the judicial remand remains effective, with the DSP technically in custody until the specified date, a police official clarified.
Also Read: Bhujbal Opposes Maratha Quota GR Over OBC Rights Threat
In response, Shankar Ganesh moved the Madras High Court, challenging the sessions court’s order and seeking immediate relief. Sources indicate that the DSP’s legal team is arguing against the remand, citing procedural issues and the context of the investigation. The case has drawn significant attention, as it marks a rare instance of a senior police officer facing such stringent judicial action over an SC/ST Act case.
The sessions judge, designated to exclusively handle SC/ST cases, had expected Shankar Ganesh to submit a status report on the Walajabad case during Monday’s hearing. The judge’s decision to remand the DSP underscores the judiciary’s emphasis on accountability in cases involving atrocities against marginalised communities.
As the Madras High Court prepares to hear the DSP’s plea, the case raises broader questions about police diligence and the enforcement of the SC/ST Act in Tamil Nadu.
