TVM youth alleges assault, pepper spray attack by SI at police Station
Although the youth submitted complaints, the only action taken against the officer was a transfer.
Although the youth submitted complaints, the only action taken against the officer was a transfer.
Although the youth submitted complaints, the only action taken against the officer was a transfer.
Thiruvananthapuram: A youth summoned to a police station in connection with the investigation into a family dispute was allegedly thrashed by the sub-inspector (SI). He also accused the cop of spraying pepper into his eyes. According to the complaint filed by Sreenath S Nair, a resident of Thottathil House, Thettichira in Kurakkada, he was tortured by sub-inspector in-charge D S Sumesh Lal at Chirayinkeezhu police station in Thiruvananthapuram on October 4, 2023.
Although Sreenath, who works as a promoter for a private mobile firm, submitted complaints to the District Police Chief and the State Human Rights Commission, the only action taken against the officer was a transfer. The District Police Chief, who conducted an inquiry into the incident, confirmed the use of pepper spray, after which Sumesh was transferred to Munnakkadavu Coastal Police Station in Thrissur.
Sreenath alleged that the SI assaulted him when he objected to the officer’s use of abusive language. He collapsed following the torture and first sought treatment at Chirayinkeezhu Government Taluk Hospital before being moved to Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital. He was later referred to the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Thiruvananthapuram after the pepper spray caused partial loss of eyesight.
“Sumesh Lal threatened me several times over the phone and even used criminals to pressure me into withdrawing the case after a departmental probe was initiated against him. So, I submitted another complaint to the Police Chief,” Sreenath said.