A Balussery native was hospitalised on Sunday after he was allegedly beaten up by an additional sub-inspector at the Atholy police station. T. Anoop, the complainant, claimed that he was beaten up naked inside the lockup by the officer after a case was registered against him for throwing firecrackers at the house of a police officer at Kakkur.
The youth alleged that he was locked inside the lockup room for around four hours. Though other policemen tried to prevent the ASI from attacking him, the officer did not heed them, he claimed.
Seeking an investigation into the incident and action against the officer, Anoop, who is also a BJP activist, filed a petition with the District Police Chief (Kozhikode Rural). Meanwhile, the Atholi police denied the allegation and claimed that the youth was not manhandled by any officer. He was released on bail and there was no such complaint on the part of him at the time of granting the bail, they said.
SHRC directive
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has recommended suspension of the officer. Commission acting chairperson P. Mohanadas issued an order on Monday citing Section 86 of the Kerala Police Act. The District Police Chief (Kozhikode Rural) was asked to submit a report in three months.
The commission registered a suo motu case based on media reports on the issue. The incident was in violation of the Chief Minister’s instruction that custodial torture would not be tolerated, the order added.
