Madras HC Gets Police Complaint After DSP Remanded in Ex-Staffer Dispute

Fast Summary

• Incident: Kancheepuram district police accused Principal District and Sessions judge Pa.U. Chemmal of remanding Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) into judicial custody due too a personal dispute with his former Personal Security Officer (PSO).
• Trigger: The case originated from a July 2025 dispute involving the PSO’s father-in-law, who owns a bakery, and a customer. Police complaints were filed but later mutually withdrawn by both parties.
• Allegations Against the Judge: The judge reportedly took suo motu action in the complaint against the PSO’s father-in-law after receiving criticism from the PSO.
• Actions Taken:

– Judge ordered filing an FIR under SC/ST Act against the accused bakery owner and others.
– Issued an externment order for them to stay away from Kancheepuram district citing potential threats to complainants.
– Invoked Section 4 of SC/ST Act to remand the DSP for neglecting duties despite Supreme Court guidelines requiring inquiry before such orders.

• Response:

– Additional Public Prosecutor approached Madras High Court challenging these actions, describing them as “unusual.”
– Justice N. Sathish kumar agreed to hear petitions related to this case after lunch on September 9, including one filed by the former PSO against his own externment.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This incident underscores potential vulnerabilities in judicial conduct when alleged personal disputes intersect with institutional processes. Accusations that legal provisions like Section 4 of SC/ST Act were misused without proper inquiry raise concerns about procedural integrity and adherence to established rulings of higher judiciary bodies like the Supreme Court.

The swift intervention by Madras High Court suggests recognition of broader implications for judicial accountability and trust in law enforcement cooperation. This matter could set precedent regarding checks on discretionary power exercised within India’s judicial framework while also highlighting possible frictions between judiciary and police forces.Ensuring impartiality in cases involving societal sensitivities like those governed under SC/ST Act is critical for equitable justice delivery-any deviation risks erosion of confidence not only among affected communities but across general public faith in institutions responsible for rule enforcement.

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