Three police officers suspended in Pathanamthitta

Three police officers in Pathanamthitta district have been suspended in connection with two separate incidents.

Konni Deputy Superintendent of Police T.K. Rajappan and Circle Inspector and Station House Officer P. Sreejith were suspended for alleged negligence in handling a POCSO case involving a lawyer as the accused.

The suspension, issued by the Home department, followed a report by the District Police Chief that confirmed delay in registering the case and failure to take timely follow-up action.

The key accused in the case, identified as Naushad, a lawyer, is alleged to have sexually abused a 16-year-old girl with the help of a relative of the survivor. Despite the girl’s father filing a complaint in August last year, the case was registered only after a delay of three-and-a-half months.

Koipram Circle Inspector G. Suresh Kumar was suspended following allegations of custodial assault that allegedly led to the suicide of a 57-year-old Dalit man.

K.M. Suresh, a resident of Varayannur in Pathanamthitta, was taken into custody on March 16 for allegedly smoking ganja. Six days after his release, Suresh was found dead hanging from a tree on a plantation, 25 km from his residence, under the Konni police station limits.

The post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries, including broken ribs and bruises, consistent with being beaten with a blunt object.

The victim’s family raised suspicions over custodial abuse and alleged foul play, leading to public protests. Following this, a high-level inquiry was instituted into the incident.

Published - June 03, 2025 07:42 pm IST