'Kannur SHO physically assaulted me, ruptured my eardrum'; workshop owner levels allegation

KANNUR: A workshop owner has come forward with a serious allegation against Kannur Town SHO Sreejith Koderi. Narathu native Ashraf told a media outlet that Sreejith had beaten him in 2017 while serving as Valapattanam Sub-Inspector, causing permanent ear damage.

According to Ashraf, he was summoned to the station to discuss a dispute over the workshop’s rent, but was instead assaulted. He alleged that repeated blows to both ears ruptured his eardrum, resulting in 35% hearing loss. Despite filing complaints with the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief, he claimed no action was taken.

In a separate incident, Sreejith Koderi had recently faced another complaint accusing him of accepting a gift from a businessman. However, sources close to the inquiry said the investigation by the Special Branch found no merit in the allegation, which was based on a petition submitted to the Chief Minister. Sreejith had earlier dismissed the complaint as an act of personal vendetta.

Shop owner and blogger K.V. Rijeesh, whose name was linked to the controversy, clarified that the matter was misrepresented. He said he met Sreejith when the officer visited his shop to buy household items. Out of affection, he gifted him a Muthappan lamp worth only Rs 240 as a birthday present. He also confirmed that Sreejith paid for all his purchases, including an uruli (traditional vessel). Rijeesh added that it is common for customers to receive small gifts at his shop, but in this instance, it was misconstrued and blown out of proportion.