The Kerala government has suspended DySP P M Manoj for grave misconduct and abuse of authority after he was convicted in a 2011 custodial assault case. The Home Department issued the order on November 28, stating that the conviction had seriously damaged the reputation of the Police Department.

The incident happened on March 26, 2011, when Manoj was serving as a Sub-Inspector at the Vadakara police station. A complaint filed before the Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court alleged that Manoj assaulted CPI leader Ranjith from Maniyur in Kozhikode by kicking him on the chest and hitting him near the ear, before unlawfully detaining him in the lock-up. The complaint also accused the then ASI Mohammed C A.

Following the trial, the Vadakara court found Manoj and Mohammed guilty under IPC Sections 341 and 323. Manoj was sentenced to one month and seven days of simple imprisonment, while Mohammed was later acquitted on appeal. The Kozhikode Sessions Court upheld Manoj’s conviction, after which he filed a revision petition before the High Court. The High Court suspended the sentence pending final judgment, subject to execution of a ₹20,000 bond. The revision is still under consideration.

Acting on a recommendation from the State Police Chief, the government noted that although the sentence has been suspended, the conviction remains in force, constituting serious misconduct and misuse of authority. “As a prima facie disciplinary measure, P M Manoj, DySP, is hereby suspended from service,” the order said. He will receive a subsistence allowance as per service rules during suspension.

Meanwhile, complainant Ranjith has also approached the High Court seeking cancellation of Manoj’s recent promotion to DySP and demanding his dismissal from service.