Crime Branch team records statement of woman who was illegally detained by Peroorkada police
The Crime Branch on Tuesday commenced its probe in a case involving the illegal detention and alleged custodial harassment of a Dalit woman by the Peroorkada police following a false charge of stealing a gold necklace.
A team led by Pathanamthitta District Crime Branch DySP K.A. Vidyadharan recorded the statement of the complainant, Bindu R., at her house in Nedumangad. Expressing hope that the truth would emerge through the ongoing investigation, she demanded the probe be extended to the house owner, Kowdiar native Omana Daniel, who had filed the theft complaint against her.
Reiterated accusations
In her statement, Ms. Bindu is learnt to have reiterated her accusations against suspended sub-inspector Prasad S.G. and grade assistant sub-inspector Prasannakumar of subjecting her to unlawful custody and mental harassment. She added that she was held in custody at the Peroorkada police station for over 20 hours.
The Crime Branch will also collect statements from the house owner as well as the police officers who had investigated the case in its initial stages. CCTV footage from the Peroorkada police station will be thoroughly examined as part of the inquiry. Besides the suspension of the two officers, the Station House Officer was suspended after the issue had come to light.
Mr. Vidyadharan has been entrusted with the probe based on a directive issued by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission. The panel had instructed the Kerala Police to hand over the investigation to a police officer of the rank of DySP or above from outside the Thiruvananthapuram district for an impartial probe. The team has been instructed to submit its report by July 7.
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