Kunnamkulam custodial torture; Four accused officers likely to be suspended today

THRISSUR: Four police officers, accused of beating a Youth Congress leader at Kunnamkulam police station, will likely be suspended from service. The suspension was recommended in the report submitted by the Thrissur Range DIG to the North Region IG. It has also been recommended to review the disciplinary action. DIG Harishankar submitted the report to the North Region IG. SI Nuhman, CPOs Saseendran, Sandeep and Sajeevan are included in the list of accused.

Another accused police officer, Shuhair, now works in the local government department. Therefore, departmental action is not possible against him. The DIG report mentioned the court registering a criminal case against four police officers, and thus demanded the officials' suspension. The order will most probably be issued today itself. Meanwhile, VS Sujith, who has been subjected to brutal torture, demanded that the officers be dismissed from service.

After the CCTV footage of the assault was released, officials, including DIG Hari Shankar, suggested strict action against the accused officers. However, with the case pending in court, there was a suspicion that the case would backfire if the police took further action. The other day, state police chief Ravada Chandrashekhar discussed details of the case with top officials.