Kalpetta: Police registered a case against Sajeevanandan of Narikkund, Ambalavayal, for attacking a Tamil couple in town towards 11. 30 pm on Monday night, based on video footage.
The incident is suspected to be a case of moral policing, according to local people. The visuals uploaded by eyewitnesses went viral on social media sparking outrage over police inaction. A Tamil speaking man was thrashed by another man, which took place as a crowd watches. Sadly, none of them came to their help. When the woman tried to question the man, he also slapped her on face showering abuses. Police failed to register a case as the couple vanished soon after the incident without complaining. In the visuals, the culprit is asking the woman about her relationship with the man for which she says, “I am his wife”.
The witnesses suspect that the culprit had been in a drunken condition.
However, police said that though locals brought the couple to the police station, they refused to lodge any complaint and sped off. Though they claimed that they were married, they doubt the claims.
However, police started investigation searching for the accused as well as the couple. It would attract punishment under sections 341, 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 294 B (uttering obscene words) and 354 (Assault or use of criminal force to a woman) of the IPC.
Meanwhile, the State Women’s Commission suo moto registered a case. The panel also criticised the police for lack of alertness. Women’s commission chairperson M.C. Josephine who visited the police station on Tuesday to gather details also directed them to take strict action against the accused and also registered its protest over the laxity on the part of the police.
She also said that she had sought a report from the Wayanad district superintendent of police.
Though the couple refused to give a formal complaint, the police should have registered a case, she said, adding that the onlookers also has a moral responsibility to prevent the attack.
No one has the right to resort to either verbally or physically abusing a woman, she said.
