Kerala Police Officer Suspended for Lapses in Assault Case Involving Minors
A Thiruvananthapuram police officer was suspended for procedural lapses that helped accused in a minor assault case avoid remand.
A civil police officer attached to the Pettah police station in Thiruvananthapuram has been suspended for alleged mishandling of a case involving the assault of minor children at a city restaurant. The action was taken on Sunday after an inquiry by the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) found serious lapses in duty.
The suspended officer, identified as Zulfiqar, was found to have failed to issue arrest intimations to the relatives of the accused in the case. The omission was considered a procedural violation that allowed the accused to secure bail on the same day of their arrest, thereby avoiding remand.
The incident dates back to August 27, when a group of students at a hotel ordered a half portion of 'mandhi'. After being told that rice was available without limit, the children requested a second serving. This led to an altercation, during which the restaurant owner and two employees allegedly assaulted the minors.
Following a complaint from the children's parents, the police took the owner and two staff into custody. However, due to the procedural lapses, the accused were granted bail immediately, preventing their detention. The petitioners later raised further complaints about the handling of the case, prompting the departmental inquiry.
The suspension underscores the police department's commitment to accountability in cases involving minors.