Henri Tiphagne, the executive director of People’s Watch, told VICE World News that while Balveer Singh’s case highlights the rampant abuse of power by top-ranking police, it is also exceptional.

A fortnight ago, the human rights organisation People’s Watch, which is assisting victims, filed another application in connection with the custodial torture under Section 7 (1) of the Act to the PIO of the collectorate. The PIO replied to the petition within 24 hours.

Rajeswari told TNIE she is planning to file an appeal under the RTI Act to get medical records of her sons. “The doctors treated my sons soon after they underwent the custodial torture. The GH’s medical records are mandatory for the legal proceedings,” she added. 

People's Watch submitted a memorandum to P Amudha, the high-level inquiry officer appointed by the government to probe the Ambasamudram custodial torture incident, on violation of legal standards in the case.

Human rights organisation 'People's Watch' sent a memorandum to P Amudha, the high-level inquiry officer who is conducting inquiry into the Ambasamudram custodial torture case, on Wednesday.

In the letter, Henri Tiphagne, executive director of 'People's Watch', urged Amudha to recommend use of provisions of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the police personnel stating that some of the survivors of custodial torture are from the SC community.

People’s Watch had earlier condemned the inhuman treatment meted out to a group of persons accused in an attempt to murder case by a team of police officers, led by Balveer Singh, who is under suspension now.  “Why did the Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police not take control of the CCTV footage at the police station; it will speak more than anything else. Why the District Collector, in his capacity as the District Police Complaint Authority, did not initiate any action?” he asked.

People’s Watch has submitted a memorandum to Senior IAS officer P. Amudha, the high-level inquiry officer appointed by the State government to undertake investigations into the incidents of torture under Ambasamudram police sub division, on the violation of legal standards in the custodial torture case.

Rights activists lament that the Tamil Nadu government is proceeding rather slowly in the custodial torture case. “Media and public pressure alone have led to the few follow-ups,” claimed Henri Tiphagne, executive director, People’s Watch, a Madurai-based human rights organisation