A Special Court trying offences under Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act, Thrissur, Kerala, has ordered registering case against two policemen for abetment to suicide of a teenager who was tortured in police custody.
K. Kamanees, the Special Judge, issued the order on a petition filed by C. K. Krishnan, father of 18-year-old Vinayakan, who allegedly took his own life after being tortured in police custody.
K. Sajan and P. T. Sreejith, the two accused were also facing prosecution for illegal custody and causing physical torture.
The judge declined an earlier investigation report filed by the police, which noted that the policemen could not be proceeded against for the offence of abetment to suicide as no offence was made out against them.
The deceased and one of his friends were taken into the custody of the Pavaratty police on July 17, 2017 where they were allegedly subjected to physical torture. The accused pulled Vinayakan’s hair, slapped on his face, elbowed on his back many times, squeezed his nipples causing excruciating pain and stamped on his legs with shoes, causing injuries. He was also showered with obscene words, the court had found.
Vinayakan was taken into police custody in the presence of his girlfriend, and the police had asked him to crop his hair. He was also falsely accused of snatching chains and molesting girls.
The policemen should have had the knowledge that their acts of unfounded grudge towards the teenager was sufficient to instigate suicide, the court found.
Published – December 12, 2024 03:27 pm IST
