The primary responsibility of the police is to take action against those who violate the law. However, some police officers treat breaking the law as if it is their right, even though they are the very ones responsible for upholding it. Some within the police force take advantage of the public’s fear of lodging complaints, exploiting the belief that taking on the police would only lead to trouble. This enables the continuation of what many refer to as the “old police culture.”

As times change, the police force too must evolve. Custodial torture and the filing of false cases are outdated tools that have no place in modern policing. True excellence in police work lies in the scientific and lawful investigation of cases. Unfortunately, those lacking the skill or integrity to do so sometimes resort to physical assault, threats, or psychological harassment to extract confessions or build cases—practices that cannot and should not be ignored.

It is also unfair to generalise and say that all police officers act in this manner. However, the actions of a minority who abuse their power bring disrepute even to the most capable and dedicated officers. A recent example of this is the incident at the Peroorkada Police Station, where an innocent Dalit woman was mentally tortured overnight and wrongfully branded a thief before any proper evidence was found. This police action amounts to a serious crime.

It has been 27 days since this incident occurred. It was Kerala Kaumudi that first reported the story, after which other media outlets and social media began covering it. Had this incident remained unknown to the public, the helpless woman would have spent the rest of her life branded as a necklace thief. What’s worse, it is reasonable to suspect that the officers involved were even prepared to pin additional theft charges on her to cover up their own wrongdoing. Even after the victim filed a complaint directly with the Chief Minister’s Office regarding the psychological torture she endured, the Home Department failed to take any action—a failure that is inexcusable.

Only when the government realised the incident could turn into a political headache did it finally act, weeks later. Sub-Inspector Prasad of Peroorkada station has since been suspended. The department is now attempting to pacify public outrage by transferring the Circle Inspector, who had harshly accused the woman of being a thief, and two other officers.

The homeowner who filed the false theft complaint must also face legal consequences. The woman, Bindu, who worked as a house help, was proven innocent after it was discovered that the necklace was actually in the house the whole time. Detaining her unnecessarily overnight and taking her for questioning at night were serious violations of legal and ethical conduct. It’s evident this mistreatment stemmed from the belief that she, a Dalit woman with no one to speak for her, could be victimised without consequence. Officers who harbour such thinking do not deserve to wear the police uniform. Unless exemplary punishment is delivered to all officers responsible, such incidents will continue to occur.