THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Inhuman police actions hurled at ordinary people are burgeoning rapidly. Cases of custodial tortures have filled headlines in Kerala for years. However now, police officers embroiled in such cases will have to pay hefty fines. The officers will also be stripped of power as per the new court order.

In 2017, cooperative bank clerk Arun was tortured badly by Haripad police for hurling stones at a KSRTC bus during one hartal day. The case was fake and Arun was incriminated in the crime. The court started a cleansing act beginning with this case and ordered Rs 35000 victim compensation for Arun. The home ministry has also approved the court order and has directed DGP Anil Kant to fast-track the process. The compensation amount will be taken from seven police officers who tortured Arun in custody. Earlier, it was Arun's wife who moved to the human rights commission seeking justice for her husband.

On October 19, 2017, Arun was still in his sleep when a roster of police officers barged into his house to register arrest. The case was planned and what awaited Arun was inexplicable torture. Haripad CI T Manoj slapped his face and crushed his privates with his hands. Arun was later admitted to Alappuzha medical college and Cheppad Ayurveda College for treatment, where he spent months recovering.