Three police officers were suspended for their alleged involvement in the custodial torture of Leeba Ratheesh from Cheranalloor, who was arrested on charge of theft of gold jewellery from the house where she was employed as a maid.
“Based on a report from the Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam Range, sub-inspector V. Samson and civil police officers Sunitha and Sreeji have been suspended,” said Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. He was speaking to reporters on Thursday evening after visiting Leeba at the Ernakulam General Hospital, where she has been admitted with injuries to her spine. “What happened is unfortunate. When the police receive a complaint at the station, they should take action only after investigating the complaint seriously,” Mr. Chennithala said.
Meanwhile, the action council fighting for justice for Leeba submitted a petition to the Minister asking that the woman be shifted to another hospital for expert care, which is paid for by the government. At a press conference held earlier in the day, the action council said the woman would be unable to work as a maid any more due to her injuries. “We request that she be given a government job as her injuries have made her unfit for the kind of work she used to do earlier. She was working as a maid at four houses to support her family when the incident happened,” said Cheranalloor panchayat member Jolly Emblassery. The forum alleged that the Cheranalloor police were harassing the victim's friends and family.
