Shocking CCTV footage from a Kerala police station has revealed officers physically assaulting restaurant employees, sparking fresh concerns about custodial violence in the state.
The Incident Unfolds
The disturbing footage from Peechi police station in Thrissur district shows Sub-Inspector Ratheesh and other officers brutally assaulting staff members from Laly’s Group restaurant. The incident, which occurred in May 2023, only came to light after businessman KP Ouseph obtained the video through an RTI application.
The violence began over a dispute between a customer named Dhineesh from Palakkad and restaurant workers at Pattikad. After Dhineesh filed a complaint with police, SI Ratheesh summoned restaurant manager Roni and another employee to the station.
Brutal Treatment Captured on Camera
The CCTV footage reveals the horrific reality of what happened inside the police station. The video shows Roni being repeatedly slapped in the SI’s cabin while another police officer brutally beats the accompanying employee.
When Ouseph and his son Paul Joseph arrived at the station after learning about the assault, police escalated the situation further. They confined Paul to the lockup along with the restaurant staff and pressured Ouseph to reach a compromise.
Threats and Extortion Allegations
According to Ouseph’s account, SI Ratheesh made serious threats during the incident. The officer allegedly threatened to shut down his business and warned of filing fabricated charges. The police claimed the presence of Dhineesh’s minor son at the restaurant could be used against the business.
Ouseph alleges that Civil Police Officer Mahesh and SI Jayesh also participated in the custodial violence, making this a case of multiple officers being involved in the assault.
Hidden Motives Behind the Attack
The businessman believes personal vendetta motivated the police action. He claims that the daughter of a police officer’s sister at Peechi station had been caught stealing goods from his store, and this incident was retaliation for that embarrassment.
The situation reveals how personal grievances can corrupt official police duties, leading to abuse of power and custodial violence.
Forced Compromise and Cover-Up
To end the ordeal, Ouseph was forced to pay five lakh rupees to the complainants as part of a compromise. Once Dhineesh received the money, he returned to the station and withdrew his complaint against the restaurant.
While Dhineesh was later arrested in connection with the bribery, he quickly secured bail as the money was never recovered, highlighting gaps in the investigation process.
Long Fight for Justice Through RTI
Ouseph’s pursuit of justice took over a year of legal battles. He filed RTI requests to obtain the CCTV footage, but authorities initially rejected his applications using various excuses including “women protection” and “Maoist reasons.”
The Kerala State Right to Information Commission finally ordered the release of the footage in August 2024, more than a year after the incident occurred. This delay raises questions about transparency and accountability in the system.
Pattern of Police Misconduct
This case mirrors recent incidents in the region. Just recently, four policemen at Thrissur’s Kunnamkulam station were suspended after CCTV evidence obtained through RTI confirmed the assault of Youth Congress leader V S Sujith in 2023.
The pattern suggests systemic issues with custodial violence in Kerala’s police force, with officers believing they can act with impunity behind closed doors.
Impact of Technology and Transparency
The case demonstrates the crucial role of CCTV cameras and RTI applications in exposing police misconduct. Without persistent efforts by victims and the right to information laws, such incidents would likely remain buried.
The footage serves as undeniable evidence of what actually happened inside the police station, countering any false narratives that might have been constructed by the accused officers.
What Happens Next
The release of this footage has generated significant public outrage and calls for immediate action against the involved officers. The incident adds to growing concerns about police accountability and the need for stronger oversight mechanisms.
This case will likely prompt discussions about police reforms, better training programs, and stricter monitoring of custodial facilities to prevent such incidents in the future.
The exposure of this violence through RTI and social media shows how transparency tools can be powerful weapons against abuse of authority when citizens persist in seeking justice.
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