Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Monday slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for what he termed the latter’s wilful silence on the “prevalent and pervasive culture of custodial torture and corruption” at police stations in the State.
Mr. Satheesan said the United Democratic Front would resist the government’s attempt to sweep such human rights violations under the carpet, given the public outrage sparked by the emergence of disturbing RTI-attested surveillance footage testifying to “terrifying brutality” in station houses.
Mr. Satheesan said the government would face aggressive street protests if it attempted to protect the human rights violators in the force by resorting to token suspension from service and light official reprimand, including nominal cuts in annual increment.
He said the UDF would not settle for anything less than immediate dismissal of the errant officers from service and their consequent criminal prosecution.
Mr. Satheesan said the officers accused of brutalising Youth Congress leader V.S. Sujith and a hotel owner in Peechi continued to serve with impunity in the police, with the government “promoting and decorating the law breakers”.
He said the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Thrissur range in 2023 had glossed over the overwhelming evidence of Mr. Sujith’s torture at the Kunnamkulam police station.
Mr. Satheesan alleged that Mr. Vijayan was hostage to a party-appointed clique at the apex of the Chief Minister’s Office. He said the “extra judicial coterie” controlled law enforcement behind the scenes, thereby rendering the official hierarchy and channels of accountability powerless.
Incidents of police excesses against ordinary people and public figures were on the rise in Kerala and the Home department headed by the Chief Minister was been a total failure, Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, said in Alappuzha.
Published – September 08, 2025 07:20 pm IST
