KOLLAM: The Kollam east police have allegedly tortured an auto driver who testified before the High Court that he had seen four shadow policemen picking up a youth who went missing a year ago. The youth, Krishnakumar, 40, of Kulathil Purayidam house in Pullikkada, was missing since November 11 last year.
Rajamma, his 70-year-old mother, filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court alleging the role of east police behind it. But the police told the court that the youth had gone absconding.
Krishnakumar was arrested by the east police on the basis of a criminal case on September 23 last year and was acquitted by the CJM court October 31. Rajamma said, “on the day of his acquittal, the policemen who were in the squad threatened him in front of me. He went missing after 11 days of his acquittal. I suspect the role of Kollam east police behind it,” she said.
She also alleged that sub-inspector G. Gopakumar who was with the east police manhandled her son, mistaking him for some other person. The SI was suspended for three months and Rajamma suspects that her son’s disappearance is connected to his suspension.
Autorickshaw driver Ratheesh of Ratheesh Bhavan, Pullikkada, said, “I had submitted complaints to the Chief Minister, Home Minister and Labour Minister Shibu Baby John against Gopakumar, who is responsible for torturing me. The home department has asked an ACP to probe into my complaint,” he said.
Rajamma has also filed complaints with the Human Rights Commission, the police chief and the police commissioner. Posters have appeared in Kollam city demanding justice to Krishnakumar.
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