Days after courting controversy over his alleged spat with a junior officer and the vanishing act of the subordinate, Ernakulam city Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) P S Suresh is facing more trouble with a film actor and his wife accusing the senior cop of sexual abuse.
Allegations of sexual abuse have been levelled against the ACP, who was recently in the news over the alleged spat with Circle Inspector V S Navas who went missing after the argument.
The allegations were made by the wife of actor Kannan Pattambi, who is the brother of Malayalam film director Major Ravi. Kannan Pattambi had approached the Director General of Police (DGP) after no action was taken on his complaint filed against the ACP in 2017.
(Circle inspector Navas was later found in Tamil Nadu and brought to Kerala.)
"The higher-ups in the force have been trying to protect Suresh even though several complaints were filed against him. I have approached the High Court against this," Kannan Pattambi told Manorama Online in an exclusive interview.
Recounting the incident that happened in 2016, Kannan Pattambi said "Me and Suresh were good friends when he was posted as the CI at the Pattambi police station. I had helped the Janamaithri police in several ways. As our family was into movies, I always had a good relationship with almost all the police officers at the station. Suresh frequently visited our home and we often shared a drink together.’’
"On June 7, 2016, there was a house-warming ceremony of a cop in our area. Suresh called me that night saying that he had reached my home. I was not at home then. By the time I reached home, Suresh said he had to leave and left in a hurry. My wife did not tell me then what had happened," Kannan Pattambi claimed.
However, the actor said that his wife appeared to be under a lot of stress in the following days.
"When I said about inviting Suresh to our daughter's birthday, she opposed. I assumed that she did not want us drinking together. However, Suresh started harassing me after that. I didn't understand the reason for that. It was only in 2017 that my wife told me what had happened.
"She revealed that Suresh tried to grab her and behaved indecently with her that night," Kannan Pattambi alleged.
He further said a complaint was registered against Suresh with the complaint cell in 2017. "We approached the complaint cell as we know that the wing would ensure confidentiality. However, no action was taken based on that complaint. Then on March 6, 2019, a complaint was filed with the Thrithala police station. The complaint reached the SP and the Alathur DySP was made the in-charge of the probe. However, no progress was made in that investigation. The cops colluded and the case met with a dead end. I approached the DGP, seeking justice on June 14. I also filed a case with the High Court. The DGP, SP and ASI have all been made party to the case," Kannan Pattambi said.
He further alleged that the Suresh often ill-treated his subordinates in the police force.
"I have an audio clip of Suresh verbally abusing his juniors. Several complaints against him were made to the SP. Suresh had even demanded sexual favours from the wives of his subordinates. He behaves very badly when he is inebriated. Even before the missing case of cop became a talking point, I had moved the High Court," he pointed out.
Political influence
Kannan further alleged that Suresh used political influence to move up the order in the police force. "He used his influence within the Marxist party to reach senior posts. There are several cases against him. Before the LDF came to power in Kerala, he was with a Congress-affiliated union. Two younger brothers of minister AC Moideen are helping him. That's how he got the higher positions," he alleged.
Meanwhile, Kannan also said Suresh had tried to pressurise him to withdraw the case. "He tried to influence me through Sudheer, son of former MP Sreemathy teacher, and my brother Major Ravi. I have the same stance as my wife in the case. I will stand with her," Kannan said.
Major Ravi blames corrupt system
Director Major Ravi said sometimes people have to face dire experiences from those who are meant to protect them.
"The police are supposed to serve the people, protect them. However, what do the people actually get? Some shocking incidents such as these. If such a complaint has been received, he should be immediately removed from service. Or else, he should be suspended. Even in the cop missing case, no action has been taken against Suresh. He has not faced any kind of action till now. The system is corrupt," the popular director said.
"I kept quiet thinking that the law will take its course. Even the senior officers were informed. Nothing happened. Finally, a complaint was filed before the DGP. If we do not get justice from even there, the court would be moved.’’
"I am not saying all cops are bad. Even 40 per cent of such officers are enough to bring bad name to the entire force. When you see how conceited some officers are, you know their nature too. Politics in police is never good. Politics is what destroying the police force,” he added.
Major Ravi also said that counselling was important even for the cops. “The problems they face at work, at home - all this needs to be known. In Army, it is mandatory. Sometimes, the junior officers are made to do domestic work. Nobody knows the mental trauma they are suffering,” he said.
"Look at the incident that happened the other day. A cop set a woman civil police officer ablaze,’’ Major Ravi said referring to the woman cop’s murder at Vallikunnam in Alappuzha district on Saturday.
“How many complaints did the woman file? If any action was taken on them, would she have suffered this tragic death? May be that cop could have been talked out of his malicious intentions,” he said.
The ACP is yet to respond to the allegations levelled by Kannan. Also, the CPM has not come out with any statement on Kannan’s allegation that the ACP has political patronage.
