Unprecedented Judicial Move: Kancheepuram Judge Remands DSP in Personal Dispute, Shocks Madras High Court

In a rare and striking development that sent ripples through legal and police circles, a Principal District Judge (PDJ) in Kancheepuram took the extraordinary step of remanding a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) into judicial custody. The stunning decision stemmed from a deeply personal dispute involving the DSP and his former office assistant, K.

Muthupandian, leading to a direct intervention and subsequent clarification from the police to the Madras High Court.

The unusual sequence of events began when DSP M. Sudhakar found himself accused of orchestrating a false complaint against Muthupandian, his ex-staffer. Muthupandian, who previously worked for the DSP, had himself been embroiled in a bitter contention with Sudhakar and his family.

He alleged harassment and non-payment of salary, painting a picture of mistreatment that led to the escalating conflict.

The flashpoint occurred when the DSP's wife lodged a complaint against Muthupandian, accusing him of serious offenses including the theft of a laptop and money, alongside an alleged assault.

Following this complaint, Muthupandian was arrested and subsequently presented before the Kancheepuram Principal District Judge. However, instead of proceeding as expected, the PDJ, after personally hearing Muthupandian's version of events, evidently found the allegations against him to be unfounded or, at the very least, highly questionable.

In a dramatic turn, the judge decided to remand DSP Sudhakar, sending him to judicial custody and instructing the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against their own officer.

This unprecedented judicial action quickly drew the attention of the Madras High Court. Justice M. Dhandapani, while presiding over a petition filed by Muthupandian seeking to quash the FIR against him (lodged by the DSP’s wife), expressed considerable shock and concern over the Kancheepuram PDJ's actions.

The High Court judge observed that "judges cannot act like police officers," highlighting the perceived overreach of judicial authority in this instance.

In response to the High Court’s observations, State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah provided a detailed account of the events. He meticulously clarified the circumstances that led to the PDJ's decision, confirming that the police had indeed registered an FIR against DSP Sudhakar as per the judge's instructions.

The Public Prosecutor’s submission aimed to explain the complex interplay of personal grievances and official duties that had culminated in the DSP’s remand.

After hearing the comprehensive explanation, the Madras High Court officially recorded the Public Prosecutor’s submissions. In a significant directive, the High Court instructed the Public Prosecutor to ensure a thorough, fair, and impartial investigation into the entire matter.

Furthermore, recognizing the sensitive nature of the case and the allegations involved, the FIR initially filed against K. Muthupandian by the DSP’s wife was transferred to the Crime Branch-CID (CBCID) for an independent and unbiased investigation. This move underscores the gravity of the situation and the judiciary's commitment to ensuring justice is served without prejudice, while also delineating the boundaries of judicial and executive powers.