KALPETTA: A tribal youth, Gokul, was found dead in the Kalpetta police station in Wayanad, leading to the suspension of two police officers. Gokul, a 17-year-old from Padivayal village, was taken into custody late at night along with a minor girl who had gone missing on March 27. The girl was sent to a shelter home, while Gokul was detained at the station. The police claimed they needed time to verify whether charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act applied. Early the next morning, Gokul was discovered hanging in the station's toilet.

The incident has sparked protests by tribal organizations and political parties like Congress and BJP, who are demanding a thorough investigation. Tribal groups plan to file a petition in the High Court seeking justice. Allegations have surfaced about police negligence and possible mental harassment during Gokul's detention. His family has questioned the circumstances of his death, pointing out inconsistencies in the police's explanation.

An inquiry is underway, with statements from police personnel being recorded by the District Crime Branch. The Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority and forensic experts have visited the station. While the postmortem report ruled out physical assault, it noted that Gokul's hand had markings of a girl's name scratched with a sharp object. Investigators are now examining whether he faced mental abuse.

The controversy deepened after school records confirmed Gokul was a minor, contradicting the police's earlier claim that he was 18. Critics argue that detaining him overnight without transferring him to a shelter home violated legal protocols for minors. The incident has drawn attention to systemic failures in protecting tribal individuals' rights.