HC summons Madurai Commissioner of Police

MADURAI The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday summoned Madurai City Commissioner of Police after a petitioner complained that a police officer in uniform was smoking a cigarette while on duty at a police check post near Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K.

Ramakrishnan was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by A. Radhakrishnan of Salem, who said he was a devotee of the temple. The petitioner said on October 16 at around 7 a.m., he noticed a Special Sub-Inspector of Police smoking a cigarette while on duty at the police check post near the temple.

He said despite him questioning this, the police officer continued to smoke. The incident had caused him mental anguish and raised concerns regarding discipline among police personnel in public and religious places. He said he had lodged a complaint in this regard.