CM Vijayan orders probe as CCTV footage confirms police assault on pregnant woman

Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the Director General of Police (DGP) on Thursday to take urgent action following the release of CCTV footage showing a police officer assaulting a pregnant woman inside the Ernakulam North Police Station.

Acting on the Chief Minister’s directive, the DGP has sought an immediate report from the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in charge of Law and Order, indicating imminent disciplinary proceedings against the official involved.

The visuals, released following a directive from the Kerala High Court, show Prathap Chandran, the then Station House Officer (SHO) of Ernakulam North Police Station, slapping the woman, identified as Shaimol N.J., and physically pushing her by the chest. Chandran is currently posted as SHO at Aroor.

The incident took place on June 20, 2024, but the footage has only now entered the public domain after what the complainant described as a year-long legal battle.

According to reports, Shaimol, who was pregnant at the time, had visited the station after her husband was taken into custody for filming police personnel allegedly assaulting members of the public. Instead of addressing her grievance, the officer assaulted her inside the station while other personnel, including female officers, looked on. The footage also captures other officers eventually intervening to restrain the SHO.

Following the assault, the victim alleged that the police attempted to cover up the incident by registering false cases against her, including charges of attacking the police station. While the police initially denied the allegations, claiming they were attempting to defuse a tense situation, Shaimol and her husband approached the High Court to secure the release of the station's CCTV footage.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Thursday termed the visuals as evidence of "extreme brutality" within the Kerala Police. He alleged a pattern of custodial violence and accused the government of fostering a culture of impunity.

The woman was assaulted for questioning the framing of her husband in a false case, Satheesan said, adding that many similar cases likely go unreported due to a lack of evidence.

With the Chief Minister intervening and the police leadership ordering to submit an urgent report, the case has reignited the debate on custodial violence and the efficacy of institutional safeguards meant to protect citizens from the abuse of authority.

(Inputs from IANS)