In-custody Kerala Cop for rape gained promotion despite similar pending cases against him

Kochi: Despite a minimum of three reported pending cases of assaulting women against the now-in-custody Kerala Police Officer for gang rape, PR Sunu reportedly managed to get a promotion from sub-inspector to Circle Inspector and was appointed to head a police station.

Sunu, Station House Officer (SHO) of the Coastal Police in Kozhikode, was arrested on Sunday on charges of sexually assaulting a woman along with others. A woman said in her complaint that CI Sunu was one among a group of men who sexually abused her at two places in Thrikkakara in the Ernakulum district.

Reports suggest that the CI had already faced departmental action after being arrested on another assault case in 2021. CI Sunu is now an accused in the gang rape case which is reported to have occurred in May 2022 under Thrikkakara police station limits.

The CI was arrested when he had come for duty at the Beypore police station in Kozhikode.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the police have not yet registered the arrest of the accused IC. Kochi Police Commissioner CH Nagaraju said that the police did not get enough evidence to register his arrest, but the accused was taken into custody to prevent his escape.

The Commissioner said that the CI had allegedly threatened the woman and sexually assaulted her. The accused also included a temple priest, and action would be taken against all of those involved in rape, cheating and illegal confinement, he added.