SHO's slap: Couple seeks court supervision for investigation against KG Pratap Chandran

KOCHI: A court-supervised investigation is being sought against former SHO of Ernakulam North Station K.G. Pratap Chandran, who allegedly slapped a pregnant woman and pushed her in her chest. Shymol, a native of Thodupuzha, and her husband Benjo Baby, who was the victim of the assault, filed the case in the Ernakulam Additional CJM Court.

The couple had earlier filed private complaints in the High Court for obtaining CCTV footage from the station and the ACJM court seeking a criminal case against Pratap Chandran. The ACJM court, while considering the petition yesterday, requested an investigation under the supervision of the court.

Habit Alam, a native of West Bengal, who is an employee of the couple's house, testified in the court as a witness. The court directed to inform whether the government's permission is required to file a case against a government official. The case will be considered again on the 17th. Shymol was three months pregnant at the time of the incident.

CCTV footage of the pregnant woman being assaulted at the station on June 20, 2024 was also released yesterday. There is no footage of the couple attacking police officers or Shymol trying to throw the kids to the ground.

Will face it legally

Benjo Baby said that he will proceed legally in the incident. "The SHO is just making allegations. He is saying that I am a criminal. Let the police investigate the cases against me. It is the court that should say that I am a criminal," he clarified.

Did not create an atmosphere of terror: Shymol

"Even though SHO did not know I was pregnant, did he not see that I had two children with me?" Shymol asked. She was responding to Pratap Chandran's comment that he did not know that Shymol was pregnant when she was slapped. "I did not create an atmosphere of terror at the station. I was upset when I saw my husband being beaten. I went to the SHO when he pushed me in the chest. I am happy that the guilty officer was suspended and the Chief Minister intervened."