CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday assured tough action against policemen if they were found guilty by the Judicial Magistrates(JMs) inquiring into custodial deaths. Replying to the charge of CPM legislator R Annadurai that 11 lock-up deaths had occurred in Tamil Nadu during the last nine months, Jayalalithaa told the State Assembly that only four such instances had happened after the AIADMK assumed power last May.Inquiries by Judicial Magistrates were initiated under CrPc Section 176 to ascertain if police personnel were responsible for the deaths, she said.A Judicial Magistrate has filed a report exonerating the police department after inquiry into a death. Reports of three other inquiries had not yet been received. “On the basis of inquiry, if the policemen were found guilty, stern action will be taken against them,” the Chief Minister said.To ensure just and fair probe, her government had ordered inquiry by the JMs. Referring to the plea of the Marxist member to rein in the police force in the context of alleged sexual assault against tribal women in Villupuram district, she said five police officers had already been suspended after a preliminary inquiry. Also, a relief of `5 lakh was given to each of the four women.Pointing out that the inquiry by the judicial magistrate in the case was yet to be completed, Jayalalithaa added that a PIL was pending in the HC on the same.
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