Custodial torture at Peroorkada station: Pathanamthitta DySP to lead investigation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pathanamthitta District Crime Branch DySP Vidyadharan KA will investigate the illegal 21-hour detention of an innocent Dalit woman in Thiruvananthapuram over a fake theft case. Southern Region IG S Shyamsunder ordered the investigation report to be submitted by June 25th.

The circumstances surrounding the false theft complaint against R Bindu (39), the harassment faced at the station, and the lapses in police action will be investigated. Justice Alexander Thomas, the chairman of the Human Rights Commission, took suo motu action and ordered an investigation to be led by a DySP from outside the district.

City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose told Kerala Kaumudi that the truth would be revealed by examining the CCTV at the station and investigating Bindu's complaint. SI S.G. Prasad and Grade ASI Prasannakumar were suspended after being found guilty of custodial torture. According to Bindu, no action has been taken against another police official who tried to slap her and shouted expletives.

The DySP will investigate the allegations made by Bindu against Peroorkada SHO R. Shivakumar. The departmental inquiry against the suspended officers will be conducted by the Shangumugham Assistant Commissioner.

• The Cantonment Assistant Commissioner's report states that apart from the suspended SI Prasad and ASI Prasannakumar, no one else has committed any lapses.

• CCTV footage needs to be checked to see if more police officers are at fault.

• Police have not yet investigated or collected details on how the missing gold chain ended up at the same house.