Custodial death: HC directs IO to include provisions of SC/ST Act

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Director General of Police to appoint a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police of the CB-CID to conduct investigation into the death of R. Akash Delison allegedly in police custody, and include relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Justice L. Victoria Gowri said while the right to peaceful protest was a constitutionally protected right, such protest could not be permitted to cause undue hardship to the public, particularly by obstructing national highways.