THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Disciplinary action is set to be taken against four Kerala police personnel accused in a custodial assault case at Kunnamkulam, following widespread protests from the Congress.
Thrissur Range DIG Harishankar has submitted a report to the North Zone IG recommending the suspension of four officers named in the charge sheet. The officers identified are SI Nuhman and CPOs Sasidharan, Sandeep, and Sajeevan.
The report points out that a criminal case has already been registered against the four, and therefore, they should be suspended from service.
It also suggests that the disciplinary action taken so far should be reviewed.
Orders on the suspension are expected to be issued within a day.
The visuals, obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) appeal, show Chovannur Youth Congress mandalam President Sujith being mercilessly beaten by policemen inside the Kunnamkulam police station on April 5, 2023.
He had reportedly questioned police officers who were intimidating his friends standing by the roadside, a move that enraged Sub-Inspector Nuhman.
According to the footage, Sujith was dragged to the station in a police jeep with his shirt forcibly removed.
Once inside, more than three officers surrounded him and repeatedly struck him on the back and face while forcing him into a crouched position.
Medical examinations later confirmed that the assault caused Sujith hearing damage in one ear. Instead of registering the crime, the police filed a false FIR accusing Sujith of creating trouble in an inebriated state, obstructing duty, and harassing officers.