“They should also not forget that every law abiding citizen expects that justice alone must win and any attempt to tamper with the judicial process would necessarily result in destroying the very judicial system,” a division bench comprising justices D Murugesan and PPS Janarthana Raja, observed recently.

The bench held the government responsible for the filing of incorrect statements before various courts by two IPS officers — TK Rajendran and Pholonath — who were either retired or transferred later, in a matter relating to promotion of a head constable attached to the Anna Salai police station to the post of sub-inspector and directed it to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the victim on or before March 15.

In his contempt application, G Rajaram sought punishment for the two police officers for not complying with the directions of the High Court dated July 14, 2009, with regard to his promotion as S-I and sought a compensation of Rs 50 lakh.

Disposing of the application, the bench observed that Rajaram had suffered a lot for years because of the incorrect statements given by the officers during the earlier rounds of litigation. Had they not furnished incorrect affidavits, he would have been promoted as S-I in 1998, itself.

The petitioner was made to undergo the ordeal physically, mentally and financially. Since the officers were in charge during the relevant period, but had either retired or were transferred later, the State alone was liable to pay the compensation, the bench added.