MHC directed to file affidavit amid police apology in SICA case
CHENNAI: Even though the police had apologized for improperly investigating a complaint filed by the South Indian Cinematographers Association (SICA) alleging misappropriation of funds five years ago, the Madras High Court (MHC) has asked the police to file an affidavit. Instructed. Told about the shortcomings that occurred during the investigation.
Justice AD Jagadish Chandira heard the contempt petition filed by actor and SICA general secretary M Ilavarasu against the inspector of Soundarrapandiyanar Angadi police station in Chennai’s T Nagar.
Police officers Shivakumar, Ramamurthy and Selvarani, who handled the SICA case before being transferred to another police station, appeared before the court in compliance with the court order.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Santosh, appearing for the police, presented the apology tendered by the police officers and admitted that there were some lapses in the police investigation.
Advocate Conscious Elango appeared for the contemnor and said the police had done nothing to investigate the case.
After the presentation, the judge directed the police to file an affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing till February 13.
The judge also directed the police to file a status report with a roadmap to complete the investigation.
In 2016, petitioner Ilavarasu, when he was the general secretary of SICA, had filed a complaint against previous office-bearers of the association alleging misuse of Rs 40 lakh of association funds.
Subsequently, he filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking direction to the police to complete the investigation.
In March 2023, the Madras High Court directed the T Nagar Police to file the investigation report within four months.
However, Ilavarasu filed a contempt petition in the MHC against the police, stating that the final report was not filed within the stipulated time.
The police submitted that the investigation has been completed and the final report was also filed on December 13, 2023.
Countering this, Ilavarasu’s lawyer said that the investigation was not conducted properly and the police filed the final report without conducting any investigation to avoid contempt action.
