THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to the police headquarters, the procedure to fire 58 more police officers named accused in serious criminal cases has already begun. These include police who have been charged with attempted murder and sexual assault. Officials facing POCSO cases for molesting children will also be dismissed from service. 828 police officers have been charged with crimes ranging from theft to attempted murder. Among them, those implicated in serious cases will be dismissed.

The state police chief and district police chiefs have the authority to fire officers up to the rank of CI. Officers above the post of CI can be terminated only by the Home Department. The order will be issued after assessing the crimes, court proceedings, and departmental proceedings faced by each official. For the time being, police officers who have been convicted of crimes carrying a sentence of fewer than seven years won't be fired. Officials who took part in criminal instances like altercations won't be fired.

Dismissal for these offences

• Harassment of women and children
• Sexual harassment, custodial death
• Harassment over dowry
• A crime punishable by imprisonment for life or 10 years
• Repeating the same offence

Criminal cases in which policemen were named accused

• Domestic violence against more than 200 people
• Dowry harassment against more than 100 people
• Attempt to murder case against 15 people
• Harassment case against 70 people
• POCSO case against 10 people
• Threatening case against 60 people

Various crimes

• Illegal quarrying using explosives, hitting complainant on the head with wireless, breaking ATM display, forgery of inspector's signature and bribery
• Gambling, vandalism of KSRTC bus and ambulance, cyber crime, drunken brawl, theft, cheating, injuring a horse

4 steps before dismissal

• A final departmental inquiry should be conducted against the officer
• The officer must be served with a notice to show the reason not to fire him
• The officer should be provided with an opportunity to attend the hearing with a lawyer
• The officer can present evidence and witnesses to prove his side