KOCHI: Ensuring justice for a man with speech and hearing impairment, who was trolled on social media as the “first drunkard spotted on the Kochi metro”, the central police have registered a case against a Malappuram native.
The accused had allegedly captured and circulated the image of Eldo from Angamaly sleeping in a Kochi metro train with a shaming tag. Noorudheen, 26, son of Abdul Khader, was charged under Section 92 A (Intentionally insulting or intimidating with the intent to humiliate a person with disability in any place in public view) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 120 O of the KP Act (Causing, through any means of communication, a nuisance) and Section 499 (Defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case was registered after the Under Secretary in the Department of Home wrote to the City Police Commissioner following media reports. The letter was in turn forwarded to the central police.
Colleagues of Eldho, who works at the State Headload Workers Welfare Board, too came to his support saying he had never used alcohol, and that he must be left alone.
After the media reported that the person who was trolled as a drunkard was actually one with hearing and speech challenges, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) officials visited his house and apologised for the unfortunate event.
Eldho had slept off during his ride back home on the metro after visiting a relative at the General Hospital. The Kochi metro also awarded him free rides worth ₹2,000.
