THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IG Manoj Abraham has suspended sub-inspector K L Sampath and civil police officer Ajayakumar of Nemom Police on charges of physically assaulting a Youth Congress leader A Sajeer on the police station premises. The suspension pending inquiry was ordered following a preliminary inquiry report submitted by DCP (Administration) P N Ramesh Kumar.
However, sources said the suspension order was put on hold by the police after the government reportedly intervened into the matter to reconsider the decision. Nemom SI Sampath’s political affiliation towards the Left front is alleged to be the reason behind the sudden move.
According to City Police Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar, though, the official communication regarding the cancellation of suspension order has not been received from the government and the order was still valid. There are also unconfirmed reports Sampath was asked to go on leave for three days.
In the inquiry report submitted on Monday, Ramesh Kumar recommended departmental action against Sampath, who is also the Station House Officer (SHO) of Nemom police station, and Ajayakumar. The report said they had “overstepped the limits” by beating Sajeer.
Youth Congress Nemom mandalam president Sajeer was allegedly assaulted by the police on Sunday when he visited the station seeking bail for two acquaintances. Sampath refused to release the persons, leading to an altercation which slowly turned into a fight that left Sajeer and Ajayakumar injured.
Sajeer was admitted to the Medical College Hospital while Ajayakumar was undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Santhivila. The medical reports said Sajeer’s genital organs were damaged. He was also subjected to a surgery late on Sunday.
The Congress workers at Nemom also observed a dawn-to-dusk hartal on Monday in protest against the police action.
On Monday, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala moved a submission on the matter and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured the government would be intolerant to custodial torture. As per information received by the CM, Sajeer had damaged the furniture at the police station causing a loss of Rs 1,500 to the state exchequer.