Thrissur custodial violence: Congress announces protest against Kerala Police

Thrissur: The Congress party on Friday announced a direct protest against five police officers accused of allegedly torturing Youth Congress leader V S Sujith in custody two years ago.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, who visited Sujith at his residence, said the accused officers should never be allowed to wear their uniforms again. “Usually, we act within a framework in protest activities. But we are breaking that frame in this case. The Congress party will respond in a way Kerala has never seen before. If the government maintains its stance that action has already been taken, the party will not allow these policemen to step out of their houses in uniform,” Satheesan added.

He further said that Congress would ensure the officers could not continue in service, even if it meant party workers facing arrest. Meanwhile, Youth Congress workers staged a march to the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in Thrissur. Around 50 protesters were blocked by police outside the office. Wearing masks with the faces of the accused officers, they later held a symbolic lunch at the protest site.

Kerala State Police Chief R A Chandrasekhar said the department had reopened the case after CCTV footage resurfaced showing Sujith being assaulted. “We will not permit custodial torture. Strict measures will be taken to prevent such incidents,” he said.

Sujith was taken into custody on April 5, 2023, after he questioned the officers who were allegedly harassing his friends. He was allegedly assaulted inside the Kunnamkulam police station by five policemen. After a two-year legal battle, Sujith obtained the CCTV footage through the Right to Information Act, leading a magistrate's court to register a case and begin trial proceedings.