Torture of BDS student — Cops suspended

Meanwhile, a departmental inquiry has been ordered into the alleged misconduct of the policemen. Assistant Commissioner, Traffic (North) Gopalakrishnan will inquire into the issue.

The incident occurred on the night of February 29, when Benoy, a final year BDS student of Yenopaya College, Mangalore and a resident of Kilikollur in Kollam, was picked by the policemen at Thampanoor bus stand, “mistaking him for a pickpocket”. One K V Antony had complained that his pocket was picked while he was boarding a bus.

Benoy was taken to the Thampanoor police station and allegedly beaten up. Repeated pleas of innocence and even production of his driving licence and identity card had no impact on the cops who beat him up mercilessly. He was kicked and showered with blows which left multiple abrasions and muscular contusions on his body. The policemen and a person in mufti also removed Rs 1,600 from his wallet, he alleged.

Benoy was later taken to the General Hospital where the doctors confirmed that he had sustained injuries following the physical assault. Doctors attending on him have said he will remain in hospital for a week.

The Thampanoor incident comes close on the heels of another incident in which Shahul Hamid, a truck driver, was beaten up by a sub-inspector at the traffic police station. Hamid was admitted to the General Hospital with multiple abrasions, contusions on the chest and a sprained neck.

Later, police suspended the erring policemen and ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.

Incidentally, a human rights group has put up a huge board before the Cantonment police station in the city listing the guidelines to be followed by police while detaining and arresting persons.