Woman's suicide triggers tension at Tripunithura

The residents and casteist organisations at Tripunithura, under the banner of Samyuktha Samara Samithi, are on a warpath seeking  action against the Hill Palace Police in connection with an incident where a woman committed suicide.

According to the people, Mini alias Sunitha committed suicide owing to police harassment. They said the police had been harassing her seeking  information about her husband Babu, an accused in a criminal case, who has been absconding for some time. The Samara Samiti members, including Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha and Kerala Youth Front, have demanded stringent action against the Hill Palace Police, including sub-inspector P R Santhosh.

Vivek K Vijayan, district president, Kerala Youth Front, said the police had conducted severe human rights violation by physically and mentally assaulting a woman.

“The police had arrested her to get details about Babu. In an attempt to trace Babu, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste, the police had been visiting his house regularly.

 They summoned Mini to the station and kept her in custody from morning till evening and grilled her for hours. Mini was emotionally disturbed after the incident,” Vivek said.

Santhosh Puthenpurayil, general convener, Samyuktha Samarasamithi said the police had no right to take Mini into custody.

“As per section 160 in the Code of Criminal Procedure, the police have no right to take a woman into custody. She was arrested without any concrete reason,” Santhosh  added. 

Meanwhile, two police officials were suspended with regard to the issue. However, the residents alleged that this was to create a feeling that action was taken. Meanwhile, K G James, City Police Commissioner, said they have already taken stringent action against the police personnel who brought Mini to the station.

“There is no evidence to prove that the sub inspector has done anything wrong. We got the suicide note of Mini which proves the police has nothing to do with the issue. According to the suicide note, she was depressed as she revealed the hide-out of her husband,” the Commissioner said.

James added that a departmental inquiry is progressing in the case. “We cannot take action just because the public demanded it. We will take necessary action against if the inquiry proves the police is guilty,” Commissioner added. 

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