The State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) Chairman K. Narayana Kurup came down heavily on the police top brass for promoting indiscipline and condoning custodial torture while passing a verdict on Saturday, pronouncing three police officers guilty of torturing a driver in custody.
Mr. Kurup ordered the prosecution of Joseph Sajan, sub inspector at Harbour police station, Prakasan, additional sub inspector and Rajeevan, civil police officer, for causing grievous hurt to Suresh K.S. from Edakochi on July 1 last year.
The offence was found to be punishable with imprisonment for a term that could extend up to seven years and fine.
The Inspector General of Police, Kochi Range, has been asked to initiate action under Sections 326 and 330 of the Indian Penal Code besides launching departmental action against them.
The three officers had foisted a bogus case of sexual abuse of a six-year-old child on the petitioner, the driver of a school bus in the city. The officers were allegedly influenced by the child’s father who had had a spat with the driver in the past.
Mr. Kurup said the officers had tutored the child’s statement and that it was impossible for the petitioner to abuse the child inside the bus during the short-distance trip between Changampuzha Park and Mamangalam.
He expressed distress over the fact that the officers concerned were not even suspended and observed that the top brass of the police themselves should be held liable for promoting indiscipline instead of enforcing discipline among the force.
“It is revolting to the sense of justice to see that officials accused of custodial torture are blessed with promotion and plum posting in law and order, which exposes the callous and cavalier attitude of the powers that be in regard to custodial torture,” he said.
Compensation
Mr. Kurup ordered that since the petitioner was left bedridden after the incident, the State government should pay him an immediate compensation of ₹10 lakh, which should be recovered from the officers concerned.
He said the petitioner was eligible for getting a compensation of up to ₹50 lakh by approaching Constitutional courts under Article 32 and 226.
