KOLLAM: The civil police officers who allegedly manhandled a Dalit couple in their house at Thattarkonam here were transferred as part of a ‘detailed inquiry’ into the issue. The action was taken by city police commissioner Satheesh Bino based on a preliminary report filed by the Special Branch Police. “A detailed investigation into the issue is still pending. The policemen, ASI Sarasan and civil police officer Shihabudeen, with the Kilikolloor police station were transferred to another circle as part of the inquiry being conducted by an officer in the rank of ACP,” Mr Satheesh Bino told DC.
The police said the incident could not be termed as “Dalit torture” and that it was a “drama” enacted by the couple to avoid the arrest of Sivan, their relative. The couple alleged that Sivan was charged with a false case of attacking policemen during a local temple festival. The couple, Sajeevan and Rajani, of ‘Athira,’ Thattarkonam, Kilikolloor here, had alleged that the two policemen had tortured them in their house, leaving Sajeevan with fractures in his arm.
They also allegedly insulted them by calling them their caste names. The police had gone there in search of Sivan who was framed in a case. “Sivan’s son, who was just a spectator, was manhandled by Shihabudeen. When Sivan intervened, the policeman tortured him and named him as an accused,” Sajeevan had said earlier. The couple had also filed petitions with the human rights commission, SC/ST commission and police complaints authority.
