Slapping pregnant woman; Departmental action against SHO under suspension to begin today

KOCHI: A departmental action against Station House Officer (SHO) K G Prathapa Chandran under suspension for assaulting a pregnant woman, will begin today. He slapped Shaimol (41), wife of Ben Joe, owner of Ben Tourist Home near Ernakulam North Railway Station.

Shaimol's family said the fight will continue and demanded to register a case against Prathapa Chandran under sections including atrocities against women. Prathapa Chandran is now posted at the Aroor police station.

The incident happened on June 20, 2024, when he was circle inspector at Ernakulam North Station. The police had then taken the woman's husband into custody. Ben was accused of helping the two youths to flee when they were taken into custody under suspicious circumstances near their tourist home in the early hours of June 18, 2024. He was arraigned for obstructing the cops from discharging their duty. Ben Joe had captured the police assault on his mobile.

Shaimol reached the station along with her twin babies after knowing that her husband has been taken into custody. A verbal dispute broke out between Shaimol and the police in the presence of her husband. Meanwhile, Prathapa Chandran pushed Shaimol. When she questioned this, he slapped her. Other cops tried to calm the situation. All these happened in the presence of women cops.

Several complaints were filed against Prathapa Chandran earlier also. The complaints were that he had assaulted a Swiggy employee and a Congress leader. However, no action was taken then.