'Police torture not part of official duty'; Kerala HC quashes police officer's plea

KOCHI: The High Court refused to allow law-granted protection for police officers who have the habit of abusing and torturing people in the pretext of investigation. Justice K. Babu's order rejected the revision petition filed by former Nilambur SI C Alvy seeking to quash the case taken against him by the Nilambur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.

In 2008, a woman filed a complaint against Anish Kumar, a resident of Edakkara, alleging that he humiliated her in public. Anish, who was called to the station, was kept waiting for a long time and while being interrogated, the SI abused and brutally beat him.

As per the complaint, he was punched in the chest, and his head was smashed on the wall. A female police officer of the same station and Anish's sister Nisha tried to stop the torture but to no avail. It is alleged that the pregnant Nisha was also beaten up by the SI. The injuries were certified in their medical reports.

Later, DySP's investigation found that the complaint against Anish was fabricated. Soon after, Anish filed a case against the SI with the magistrate. The SI in his argument raised the need for prior permission of the government if the prosecution action is to be taken against the police officers charged with maintaining law and order. However, the high court rejected the arguments.