3 youths taken into custody released after youth Cong protests

Kochi: Three youths taken into custody by police for reportedly consuming liquor at a nearby public area were released on ‘station bail’ Sunday after protests by youth Congress workers, who alleged that the trio were lodged in a cell after they were asked to remove their shirts and pants.

Ernakulam MLA Hybi Eden, who joined the protesters at Thevara police station, alleged that the youths were falsely implicated by police in the case after their car was stopped last night.

“The youths are associated with Malayalam film industry.

They had not committed any non-bailable offence. Two of them had consumed liquor.But the driver was not under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

He said police allowed them to wear their shirts and pants only after Police Complaints Authority Chairman Justice K Narayana Kurup inspected the cell in which they were kept.

Eden said the Sub-Inspector concerned had acted hastily and charged them under non-bailable offence. The youths were actually being falsely implicated in the case,” he said.

He also said a video footage of ‘police excesses’ has been aired by a Malayalam news channel.

Police rejected the charges by youth Congress workers.

A senior police official, who did not wish to be named, said the three were found consuming liquor at a public place after they had stopped their car by the roadside.

He said they were noticed during a special drive launched by police after 10 PM yesterday to curb anti-social activities within city limits.

When police tried to stop their illegal act, they got agitated and tried to prevent them from carrying out their duty, he said.

Police said though the youths were charged under non-bailable offence, they were released on station bail following “pressure”.