SHRC recommends ₹3 lakh compensation to man injured during police vehicle check

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday recommended that the Tamil Nadu government pay a compensation of ₹3 lakh to a man who sustained injuries during a police vehicle check in Coimbatore in November 2019.

Commission member V. Kannadasan recommended the compensation to complainant J. Sarthar Ali of Kamarajar Nagar in Sundarapuram of Coimbatore, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this recommendation.

According to Mr Ali, during a vehicle check on November 4, 2019, respondent N. Sambantham, then Sub-Inspector of Police attached to Kottur police station in Coimbatore district, assaulted him. As a result, his two-wheeler hit a stationary vehicle parked along the road and he suffered a fracture in his leg after which he had to be taken to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and then to a private hospital. He incurred an expense of ₹4 lakh for medical treatment and a FIR was registered in this regard against the respondent and a chargesheet was also filed.

The complainant was living as a disabled individual and could not go for a regular job. He sought departmental action against the respondent and a compensation of ₹25 lakh with 12% interest per annum from the date of the incident.

The Coimbatore Superintendent of Police, in his report, said the complainant and two others travelled without helmets. When asked to stop, they sought to escape and eventually fell after hitting a vehicle. However, the report said the respondent was suspended as he was discharging his duty in a negligent manner.

The respondent in his counter said he never hit the man using a lathi but the accident happened due to the rash and negligent driving of the minor rider with three on the pillion.

“This Commission is of the considered opinion that the respondent had acted in a negligent manner for which he is facing the departmental proceedings already initiated against him and the criminal prosecution is also pending against him in the court and hence, the government shall pay the compensation to the complainant on vicarious liability,” the order said.

Published - June 02, 2025 09:50 pm IST