A group of lawyers allegedly assaulted a police officer in the district court here on Thursday, forcing him to seek refuge in a judge’s car parked in the porch of the heritage building.
The police said the attack on their colleague was in retaliation for the arrest of one of them, Vallakadavu Murali, on the charge of consuming alcohol in public earlier this year.
They identified the officer as Sub-Inspector, Vizhinjam, Asokan. Officers at the court’s main gate saved Mr. Asokan from sustaining more severe injuries.
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The men hurried him to the General Hospital in a police vehicle after he complained of severe chest pain. The officer’s uniform was in tatters, and doctors said there were several bruises and contusions on his body.
The Vanchiyoor police said they had registered a case of assault and obstructing an officer from discharging his official duty under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
Officers from the station called on Mr. Asokan at the hospital and recorded his statement. The police have made no arrests so far.
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Investigators said Mr. Asokan had named at least two lawyers as responsible for the attack. He could only identify the other attackers by sight.
Mr Asokan had reported for prosecution-related duties at the court of Principal Sessions Judge K. Babu in the morning. The officer was in uniform and carried official records.
Their case was that a group of lawyers allegedly led by Mr. Murali had harangued the officer outside the court hall. Officers said Mr. Murali appeared to have had an axe to grind with Mr. Asokan who had earlier arrested the lawyer and three others on the charge of drinking in public. The lawyers, who were in court dress, chased Mr. Asokan and assaulted him.
The attack on the SI prompted Commissioner of Police P. Prakash to call on District Judge K. Babu. The outcome of the closed-door meeting was unknown. Mediapersons have not been allowed to enter court precincts for the past two years under the threat of violence.
Pachalloor R. Jayakrishnan, secretary, Thiruvananthapuram Bar Association, denied reports that lawyers led by Mr. Murali had attacked Mr Asokan. He said the officer had illegally entered the judge’s parked car and the court had summoned the Commissioner of Police to protest the action. Mr. Jayakrishnan noted there was only some spirited exchange of words and no assault as was alleged.