Police brutality draws mild action: Just six months’ suspension

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The failure to carry out disciplinary action against police personnel who misuse their authority has given confidence to criminals within the force, leading even to the assault of a pregnant woman.

The present situation is such that even if police personnel break the bones of citizens, they only face a six-month suspension, which is seen as a “comfortable break,” after which they are posted back to law-and-order duties. Disciplinary actions, including suspension, are mostly meant to mislead the public. Many officers are later reinstated quietly. Proceedings to dismiss 59 police officers accused in serious criminal cases were frozen. Despite several complaints, senior officials continued to protect CI Prathapachandran, who is known as a violent officer in Kochi.

Earlier, Kerala Kaumudi had published major reports and a series, warning about the growing influence of criminals within the police force. Following these reports, the Chief Minister announced the dismissal of erring officers. He had directed the Director General of Police to dismiss officers involved in crimes such as misconduct towards the public, assault, and links with criminal gangs by invoking Section 86 of the Police Act. However, once dismissals began, police associations, senior officers, and political leaders intervened. Many problematic officers were brought back to law-and-order duties. Those suspended for crimes including bribery, custodial deaths, and custodial torture were quietly reinstated.

The Chief Minister had informed the Assembly that 144 police personnel were dismissed over the past nine years, but most of them returned to service after approaching the courts.

High Court's warning

The Kerala High Court had warned that there should not be a situation where another circular has to be issued instructing the police to behave respectfully with the public. It was during this period that even a pregnant woman was assaulted in Kochi.

Repeated incidents of police violence

• Women, including members of a wedding party, were assaulted and injured in Pathanamthitta
• A 70-year-old man was slapped and thrown into a jeep during a vehicle check in Chadayamangalam
• A Class 3 student was publicly questioned on the road in Attingal over an alleged mobile phone theft
• Two women sub-inspectors fought inside a police station, resulting in one officer’s arm being fractured in Kottarakkara
• A youth was kicked in his private parts and stabbed with a baton in the state capital
• A man who came to enquire about a furniture-related complaint was brutally assaulted in Nooranad

Instructions forgotten by police

• Treat the public with respect
• Do not use force
• Do not behave aggressively
• Stand with the people
• Maintain cultural and moral standards
• Avoid bias
• Show empathy
• Do not dismiss complaints
• Give priority to women’s safety

“Every police officer must protect the dignity of the force. No matter how a person behaves at the police station, the police must always act with dignity.”

-Ravada Chandrasekhar, State Police Chief