Chennai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday stayed trial court proceedings against 2020 batch IPS officer of tamil Nadu cadre, Mr Balveer Singh in connection with four custodial torture cases registered in Tirunelveli. The order was passed by Justice Shamim Ahmed while hearing criminal revision petitions filed by Singh.
Background of the Case
The cases pertain to alleged incidents that took place while Singh was serving as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Ambasamudram Sub-Division in 2022. The complaints were lodged by the Tirunelveli CB-CID, alleging custodial torture by Singh.
In his petitions, Singh contended that he had been forced to take stern action against drug peddlers and anti-social elements involved in ganja smuggling, following repeated complaints from the public. He argued that false allegations were levelled against him by vested interests who perceived him as an obstacle to criminal activities.
Language Barrier and Procedural Concerns
Singh highlighted procedural irregularities in the trial court:
- The charges were framed in Tamil, a language he does not understand.
- He was not provided with translations of the chargesheet or witness statements before the charges were framed.
He argued that these issues deprived him of his right to defend himself effectively.
Hearing Adjourned
The High Court issued an interim order staying trial proceedings and adjourned the hearing to January 27, 2026, providing Singh temporary relief from the ongoing trial.
Court Observations
The interim stay allows Singh to challenge the framing of charges and procedural lapses in the trial court. It also underscores the judiciary’s concern for ensuring fair trial rights, particularly regarding language accessibility and proper notice of allegations.
About Him
IPS Balveer Singh, born in Tonk, Rajasthan, earned a mechanical engineering degree from IIT Bombay. Before joining the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2020, he worked for six years at the Indian Oil Corporation.
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