Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the State Police Chief to conduct an inquiry into the death of a 24-year-old police trainee who was found hanging inside the barracks of the Special Armed Police (SAP) camp at Peroorkada. The deceased, Anand A, a native of Peppara in Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, belonged to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. He was found dead on the morning of September 18.

The Commission has also instructed the Thiruvananthapuram District Police Chief to submit a detailed report within four weeks. The directive came in response to a petition filed by Anand’s mother, Chandrika.

In her complaint, Chandrika alleged that her son had been subjected to verbal abuse and casteist insults by his trainers, and that continued harassment from senior officers drove him to take the extreme step. She further claimed that Anand had been punished by his superiors and later admitted to the Peroorkada Government Hospital for treatment. According to her, he died by suicide just a day after being discharged. Alleging foul play in his death, she demanded strict action against those responsible.

Anand is survived by his mother and elder brother, Aravind. The family said earlier that he had worked hard to secure the Civil Police Officer (CPO) post, clearing the exam on his first attempt. However, just three months into his training at the SAP camp, he was found dead.

Initially, the police registered a case of unnatural death, which was later handed over to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

The family also alleged that two days before his death, Anand had slit his wrists. While camp officials had informed them that the injury was minor, they later learned that he had required multiple stitches. Following this, the DIG (Battalion) ordered an internal inquiry, and a report submitted by the SP of the Kerala Armed Women Police Battalion reportedly ruled out any procedural lapses in providing care to Anand.