Kerala: After being beaten by the SHO, Shyamol exposed the police’s claims

KOCHI: After a long wait of nearly two years, Shyamol has finally received justice in the case where she was allegedly mistreated by SHO Pratapachandran at the Ernakulam North Police Station. Shyamol, who was pregnant at the time, allegedly endured a traumatic experience that no pregnant woman should ever have to face at a police station. From the beginning, Shyamol and her husband maintained that the truth of the incident was captured on the station’s CCTV cameras, after which they launched a legal battle for justice. Attack on pregnant woman – Pratapachandran suspended; Home Department takes action against CI for assaulting pregnant woman.

When the couple approached the court, the police allegedly attempted to fabricate charges and proceed with the case under non-existent sections of the law. According to the family, the police accused them of attempting to forcibly release Shyamol’s husband from custody, attacking the police station, scratching and assaulting the SHO, and creating a tense situation by bringing children to the station. The family claims these allegations were part of fabricated cases filed against them. Shyamol’s husband was arrested and remanded for five days after he recorded a video on his mobile phone of police officers beating two men in a public place. The children who witnessed the incident at the police station allegedly suffered mental distress for several days. Following these events, the family intensified their legal battle. They filed a complaint through a lawyer and gave statements before the judge. After nearly a year of legal struggle, Shyamol finally obtained the CCTV footage related to the incident. The incident occurred on June 20, 2024. Shyamol’s husband had filmed police officers publicly beating two men. The officers in plain clothes took him into custody and brought him to the police station. When Shyamol arrived at the station to inquire about her husband, CI Pratapachandran allegedly assaulted her. The CCTV footage reportedly shows the officer pushing her in the chest and slapping her in the face. Despite a complaint being filed by Shyamol and her family, the police initially denied the allegations. They claimed the woman had brought her children to the station and that the officers were merely trying to resolve the matter. The police also accused the complainant of assaulting the police officers. After repeated demands for the release of CCTV footage went unanswered, Shyamol and her husband finally approached the court directly.