Trivial charges against SFI workers, non-bailable section against policeman

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Displeasure and anger are brewing within the police force over the non-bailable section charged against the SFI workers who attacked a policeman inside a mall in Thiruvananthapuram. Only trivial charges were imposed against the SFI workers, while the delay shown by the Vanchiyoor police in arresting them also irked those within the force.

The action was expedited after the intervention of City Police Commissioner K. Karthik. SFI activists Vinay Prakash (23) and Surjit (19), natives of Pettah, were arrested on Sunday evening, but were taken to the Vanchiyoor Magistrate's house around 11 pm and released on bail.

Two people are yet to be arrested in the incident. Midhun Roy, a civil police officer at the A.R. Camp, was beaten up by four men at the Mall of Travancore on Saturday evening. Midhun was with his sister at the time of the incident.

SFI workers justified the attack, alleging that Midhun had roughed up a DYFI worker during the New Year celebrations in Shanghumukham. However, the disparity came to light when Vanchiyoor police registered a case against Midhun under non-bailable sections, while choosing to impose only trivial charges against the SFI workers. The case was registered against Midhun on the complaint of Vinay Prakash.

In the video that went viral, a bevvy of SFI workers can be seen chasing and provoking the policeman. However, in the complaint filed by Vinay Prakash, it says that Midhun attacked them on the spur of the moment for not withdrawing the complaint filed with the police commissioner regarding the New Year party ruckus.

Police Association General Secretary A. Sudheer Khan said that the attack on the police officer is an insult to Kerala.

"The incident of chasing and attacking an officer in retaliation for official duties is shocking. Such attempts to create chaos in the country should be resisted. It is also worrying that all this is being done in the name of a responsible political movement. Strict action should be taken against the culprits."

''The circumstances that led to the filing of a case against the police officer under the non-bailable section will be investigated,” said K. Karthik, City Police Commissioner.