Thrissur custodial torture case: Dept action against police officials likely to be reviewed

THRISSUR: The police chief may likely review the departmental action taken against the SI and policemen accused of brutally beating Youth Congress leader V.S. Sujith at Kunnamkulam police station. DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar will likely reach a decision soon after protests erupted over the department shielding the accused police officers. The harrowing CCTV visuals of the torture were released the other day.

A report on the nature of the crime and departmental action was received from Thrissur Range DIG S. Harishankar. Sujith was beaten up in 2023 by SI Nuhman and CPOs Saseendran, Sandeep and Sajeevan. Sujith had questioned the police over confronting his friends, which led the officials to flaunt their demonic side. VS Sujith also alleged that he was offered Rs 20 lakhs as compensation to settle the case.

As per the complaint filed by Sujith, a criminal case was registered, and the trial is underway in court. The DGP will seek legal advice on whether to review the departmental action taken against accused officials at the police headquarters.

There is a precedent of reviewing the departmental action taken against corrupt officials at the police headquarters and dismissing them from service. With the Congress coming out strongly, the Home Department may try to save face by initiating strict punitive action against the officials. The departmental action was resorted to, just the cancellation of their two increments without even giving suspension. Sujith said that the CCTV footage hitherto surfaced was just the tip of the iceberg.