CHENNAI: Special cells have been formed in all districts and cities in the State, comprising SPs at the district- level and DCPs at the city level, and district Social Welfare officer and Adi Dravidar welfare officer to receive complaints of harassment and threat to inter-caste couples, the Madras High Court was informed on Thursday.
This would prevent the necessity of inter-caste couples or their relatives to go to the police station and lodge a complaint at the first instance, the counter said. The counter was filed in response to a contempt application in connection with the death of Vimaladevi of Usilampatti. She committed suicide as her parents did not approve of her marriage with a person outside her caste.
The counter said that in strict compliance with the earlier directives of the High Court and to ensure eradication of ‘honour killings’ in the State and to create awareness about the steps taken by the government, details regarding the setting up of special cells with 24-hour helpline numbers in all the districts will be uploaded in the police and government websites forthwith.
On April 13, 2016, the High Court had given certain directives following the death of Vimaladevi.
Stating that the directives were not complied with by the State Government, a contempt petition was filed. The matter will come up again on August 9.