Should Kerala Police Officers Who Assaulted Youth Congress Leader Be Dismissed?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Police brutality raises serious concerns about accountability.
- The incident highlights the need for police reform.
- Access to CCTV footage is crucial for justice.
- Public outrage can drive systemic change.
- Police stations should serve the community, not intimidate.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 3 (NationPress) In a shocking revelation, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala has called for the swift dismissal of police officers who violently attacked a Youth Congress leader within the confines of a police station in Thrissur, Kerala. This demand follows the release of disturbing CCTV footage after a two-year legal struggle.
The footage, acquired through a Right to Information (RTI) request, captures Sujith, the President of the Chovannur Youth Congress mandalam, being mercilessly beaten by police personnel inside the Kunnamkulam police station on April 5, 2023.
Reportedly, Sujith confronted police officers who were harassing his friends at the roadside, which provoked Sub-Inspector Nuhman.
The footage shows Sujith being taken to the station in a police vehicle, stripped of his shirt.
Inside, over three officers surrounded him, repeatedly hitting him on the back and face while forcing him into a crouched position.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed that the assault resulted in hearing damage to Sujith's ear. Instead of addressing the crime, the police filed a false FIR accusing Sujith of causing a disturbance while intoxicated, obstructing police duties, and harassing officers.
However, a medical test mandated by the Chavakkad magistrate's court confirmed that Sujith had not consumed any alcohol.
The court granted him bail, but Sujith was compelled to engage in a lengthy legal battle to establish his innocence and obtain the CCTV evidence.
Chennithala expressed outrage upon viewing the footage, calling it a stark reminder of rampant police brutality.
"Who authorized the police to assault a young man in such a savage manner that it shocks the conscience of humanity? Such brutality should not be tolerated in our police force—they must be dismissed immediately," he stated.
He emphasized that police stations should not serve as "torture centers" or "Nazi detention camps" aimed at suppressing political adversaries, but rather as service hubs for the public.
This ongoing case has ignited widespread public outrage, and with the footage now accessible, there is increasing pressure on the state police to implement immediate disciplinary actions against the implicated officers.