Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas has directed that a circular be issued from the police headquarters to remove the details of persons acquitted by courts from police station registers. The order also states that the circular must be communicated to all police stations across the state.

The directive came in response to a complaint that the details of acquitted persons were not being deleted from police records, which made it difficult for them to obtain police clearance certificates.

The commission accepted the explanation of the state police chief, who said steps were being taken to revise the Kerala Police Manual to update procedures in line with current requirements. Justice Thomas directed that this revision, particularly on removing acquitted persons’ names from the station registers, be completed within three months. For this purpose, a committee of senior police officers has already been formed.

The state police chief also informed the commission that, following the implementation of new criminal laws on July 1, 2024, committees of high-ranking officials were being formed to comprehensively update the outdated police manual.

In addition, the Kerala Police Academy Director has been instructed to submit a draft of the revised Kerala Police Manual, including a proposal to remove the names of acquitted persons from the relevant registers. Justice Thomas further ordered the state police chief to ensure strict compliance with the circular once issued.

The case was considered based on a complaint filed by social activist Ajo Kuttickan.