KOCHI: Kerala cops have the worst crime record in the country. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data of 2015, 3080 criminal cases were registered against them, five times more than Maharashtra, a lowly second with 536 cases. The number does not include human rights violation incidents.
Alarmingly, the number has shown a sudden surge in Kerala - from 177 cases in 2014 to 3,080 in 2015. As many as 2,903 departmental inquiries were conducted in 2015 compared to 829 inquiries in 2014. Similarly, 4,634 complaints were received against the police officials in 2015 compared to 1003 in 2014.
Top brass of Kerala Police told Express that they would comment only after going through the National Crime Records Bureau data.
When it comes to human rights violations, Kerala is ranked third among the states after Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commission together received 4,196 complaints on human rights violations.
Justice J B Koshy, Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission said a high number of complaints involving police officials were received last year.
“The common complaints against Kerala Police are delay in registering the case, keeping accused in custody for more than the prescribed time and custodial torture. Now, people are aware of their rights and do not hesitate to adopt legal measures in instances of violations of their rights,” he said.
Data at the State Police Complaints Authority too is in tune with the national figures.