Kerala custodial torture row: CCTV shows fresh assault incident; officer promoted despite complaints

NEW DELHI: CCTV footage surfaced on Sunday revealing a police officer at Peechi station in Kerala's Thrissur district assaulting restaurant employees in May 2023, marking another incident of alleged custodial torture. The footage was made public by businessman K P Ouseph, whose employees were reportedly assaulted, after he obtained it through a lengthy RTI battle, according to PTI.The incident began following a verbal altercation between Dhineesh from Palakkad and restaurant staff at Pattikad. Dhineesh filed a complaint at Peechi police station claiming assault by hotel employees.According to Ouseph's account, his hotel manager and driver were summoned to the police station where they faced assault by Sub Inspector P M Ratheesh.

His son was also detained upon arrival."Soon, my hotel manager, Ronny Johny, and driver, Libin Philip, were called to the police station. There, Sub Inspector P M Ratheesh assaulted both of them. When my son Paul Joseph reached the station, he was locked up," Ouseph told reporters on Sunday.Ouseph stated that the sub-inspector threatened his business operations and suggested potential serious charges."The officer also threatened to register a case of attempt to murder and under the POCSO Act, since Dhineesh's son was also present at the restaurant.

Civil Police Officer Mahesh and Sub Inspector Jayesh were also behind the custodial torture," he alleged.The situation led to a settlement demand of Rs five lakh from Dhineesh, which Ouseph paid."When I met Dhineesh, he demanded Rs five lakh. I went home with Dhineesh in his car and paid him the amount. Dhineesh told him that Rs three lakh would go to the police officials, while he would keep Rs two lakh," he recounted.Despite filing complaints with senior police officials and the Kerala State Human Rights Commission, Ouseph claims no substantial action was taken against the accused officers."One month after the incident, the sub-inspector was promoted as Circle Inspector and posted at Cheruthuruthy police station. He is currently serving at Kadavanthra station in Kochi," he said.Ouseph's initial RTI requests for CCTV footage were rejected citing various reasons, including 'women protection' and 'Maoist reasons.'The Kerala State Right to Information Commission finally ordered the release of the footage in August 2024 after multiple hearings.The Thrissur Range DIG has recently initiated an internal inquiry into the matter, with the case file currently at the South Zone IG's office."But I refused. Such a police officer should not continue in service. We want such officials to be dismissed," Ouseph stated regarding attempts by Ratheesh to withdraw the complaint.This incident follows another recent case where four policemen from Kunnamkulam police station in Thrissur were suspended for assaulting Youth Congress leader VS Sujith in 2023, revealed through CCTV footage obtained via RTI.