Thrissur (Kerala) | The Congress on Wednesday demanded strict action against police personnel after CCTV footage emerged showing a Youth Congress leader being “brutally assaulted” inside a police station in this central Kerala district nearly two years ago.
The visuals show Youth Congress leader Sujith being beaten by at least five police officers inside the Kunnamkulam police station.
The incident took place in April 2023, but the recordings were made public only after a two-year legal battle through the Right to Information Act.
According to reports, Sujith had intervened when police allegedly threatened his friends standing by the roadside.
A team led by a Sub-Inspector then took him to the station in a jeep, reportedly removing his shirt en route.
Inside the station, additional officers joined in assaulting him, “hitting him on the back and face.” Police later filed a case against Sujith, alleging he was drunk and obstructed officers. However, a medical examination confirmed he was not intoxicated, and a court granted him bail.
A subsequent medical report revealed he suffered hearing damage in one ear.
Congress leaders described the CCTV footage as “clear evidence of police excesses” and demanded strict action against those involved.
Expressing shock, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who also holds the Home portfolio, to take “stringent action” against the erring personnel.
"The visuals of Youth Congress Chovannur mandalam president Sujith being brutally assaulted by the Kunnamkulam police have shocked the conscience of Kerala. These are not policemen, but criminals in khaki uniform," he claimed.
"They are gangs of thugs who do not hesitate to turn police stations into torture chambers. Such gangs are being nurtured by the CPI(M) and the groups that control them," Satheesan alleged.
According to him, "the only crime Sujith was accused of was questioning the police when they threatened his friends." "The brutal assault was led by then Kunnamkulam Sub-Inspector Nuhman. From the moment he was brought to the station, more than three policemen surrounded and thrashed him. They forced him to crouch and beat him on his body and face. Sujith suffered hearing loss," he added.
Satheesan claimed the "police's attempt to trap Sujith in a false case also collapsed." "The chief minister, as the head of the Home Department, bears responsibility for fostering such criminal elements within the police.
Does he not feel ashamed to say that these people are working in his department?" Satheesan asked.
"These beasts in khaki should not be kept in service for a single moment longer. Stern action must be taken today itself. If the usual practice of protecting favourites and criminals continues, the Congress and the UDF will respond strongly," the Opposition leader alleged.
