Police are subordinate to civil establishment, says former judge

CHENNAI:

Former Madras High court judge K Chandru said that orders by Deputy Tahsildar to open fire is a convention to highlight the civilian establishment has control over the police.

Responding to a query that the deputy tahsildars who ordered firing were not present when the shooting took place, the judge said that the whole FIR lays exposed. “Police are subordinate to revenue control,” the judge said.

“Now it will be open to the police to prove on why they shot at the protesters. They could substantiate that they gave a warning before they shot and it was in self-defence. And they have to prove before the law,” said the former judge.

He also questioned a section of politicians who have justified the firing and drawing all kind of inferences. “I think the police have not followed any police standing orders,” the former judge said.

To a query on allegations that the CCTV cameras in the district collectorate were not functioning when the shooting took place, the judge said that it would stand adverse against police claims.

Former bureaucrat Deivasahayam said that deputy tahsildars can’t order firing when they are not present at the situation. He also questioned the imposition of Section 144. “There is no written order. Who gave it,” questioned Deivasahayam.