In another case of police high handedness, Kerala cops accused of locking kid inside car alone

Thiruvananthapuram: A couple from Thiruvananthapuram has filed a complaint against police officials of Balaramapuram station for locking up their 3-year-old child inside the car during an inspection.

As per a report by The News Minute, the incident happened on February 23 when Shibu Kumar and Anjana, both musicians were travelling in their car with their three-year-old daughter and got stopped by traffic police at Balaramapuram for overspeeding.

The couple, were on their way to the city from Kumar's house near Kunnathukal when the incident took place.

The couple alleged harassment and stress from the Kerala police, who not only charged them a hefty fine of Rs 1500 but also went to the extent of locking their child inside the car while she was alone.

Although the incident occurred six months ago, the duo came forward to speak about it after they were made aware of an incident relating to a false accusation made by a Pink Patrol officer against an eight-year-old child and her father for stealing her mobile phone.

Shibu was asked by the policemen to borrow money from other travellers on the road even as he tried to explain his financial hardship and objected that he was not even overspeeding.

Although he managed to borrow Rs 1000 from fellow travellers and paid the fine, Shibu questioned the officials when he noticed that the cops were not blocking other vehicles that were overspeeding.

Enraged over being questioned, the cops tried to manhandle Shibu. Seeing this, Anjana got out of the car and shot the video of the police misconduct. At this moment, one of the cops rushed to the car, removed the key and locked it from outside even as the kid was sitting inside. Shibu alleged that his daughter began crying as she was locked alone inside the car.

With the issue grabbing headlines, the Deputy Inspector General, Thiruvananthapuram Range, has directed the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram Rural) to conduct an inquiry. The Special Branch is learnt to have collected the statement of the couple.