KOCHI: The High Court on Friday directed the Idukki Police Chief to directly conduct an investigation into the complaint that Thodupuzha native VK Muraleedharan, a heart patient, was assaulted by DySP MR Madhubabu. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the order on the petition filed by Muraleedharan, pointing out that no action was taken even after he lodged a complaint with the government, DGP and Idukki District Superintendent of Police regarding the incident.

The incident happened last December. In his complaint, Muraleedharan alleged that the DySP summoned him for questioning and assaulted him on the complaint that he had put up a post on WhatsApp defaming the SNDP Yogam Thodupuzha union.

The government informed the court that the District Superintendent of Police has directed the Idukki Additional Superintendent of Police to conduct a preliminary investigation and submit a report. The police stated that they have recorded statements from the witnesses. The police also told the court that the complainant has not yet provided the audio clip in his possession. However, the petitioner's counsel argued that it is feared that there will be no fair investigation as Thodupuzha DYSP and Idukki Additional Superintendent of Police are of the same rank. Following this, the single bench ordered the Idukki District Superintendent of Police to directly conduct an investigation into the complaint.