There was a time when nobody dared raise a word against the police. Many Custodial tortures of the olden days made a good yarn in movies and books but nobody talked big about it. However, that time of rogue anarchy has perished. People now have garnered the cojones to question back against any kind of mistreatment by police. Albeit such a change, the same Police sometimes make a detour to olden ways hitting headlines for custodial murders. That needs an end too.

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 purported 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.

The new rule should not just be restricted to the police force. More departments within the government should also experience the same fate. People reaching the doorsteps with requests are being snubbed most time by inept government employees. If found guilty of a laconic attitude towards people, the fine should also be hefted from such officials. Also, the PWD works normally promise mattress-like roads but ends up gifting a gutter festooning black mats. The contractors here should be made to pay the fine. If applied to all such departments, the efficiency of work will improve and the fear of paying hefty fines and facing criminal action will force officials to do gentleman work.