The Tamil Nadu government has given formal approval to prosecute Balveer Singh, former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Ambasamudram, over allegations of subjecting several individuals to custodial torture. Singh, who was suspended from his post, faces serious accusations, including the removal of teeth with pliers, rubbing stones on victims’ teeth, and crushing their testicles.
The Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) of the Tamil Nadu police concluded its investigation into four cases involving Singh. Despite not filing a chargesheet, the government has now granted permission for the CB-CID to proceed with the chargesheet against Singh and further probe the case.
The victims had reported harrowing experiences of torture allegedly inflicted by Balveer Singh during his tenure as ASP. Singh’s suspension followed, and he was subsequently booked under sections of the SC/ST Act by the CB-CID.
Initially, Collector Shabbir Alam conducted a preliminary investigation into the case. Subsequently, the Tamil Nadu government appointed senior IAS officer P Amuda to conduct a thorough two-phase interrogation of the victims. Amuda recorded statements from witnesses and submitted an interim report to the government.
Based on Amuda’s findings, the government transferred the case from the Tirunelveli District Crime Branch (DCB) to the CB-CID, aiming to intensify the investigation for necessary action against Balveer Singh.