HC directs action against police for assault on woman detenue

Kerala High Court today directed a Superintendent of Police to register a case against police officers involved in alleged assault on woman detenue, who was to be produced before it in a Habeas Corpus petition.
A Division Bench, comprising Justice Antony Dominique and Justice A V Ramakrishna Pillai, also directed Director General of Police to give extensive attention to the statement given by the 22-year-old woman detenue and if deemed fit, issue directions besides intiating appropriate disciplinary action.
The girl was supposed to be produced in the court today on a petition filed by her mother, in which she alleged that the girl was in unlawful custody of one Dileep of Thrissur, with whom she had married recently.

The direction was issued when the detenue stated in court that she and her husband were taken into custody by Aranmula police yesterday and were kept in station throughout the night. She alleged that the Sub-Inspector had physically assaulted her.
Following the court directions, the security officer of the High Court, a DYSP, recorded the statement of the detenue and she confirmed the statement before the court.
The bench said it was prima facie satisfied that the statement discloses cognisable offence under IPC allegedly committed by police officers. It directed the Pathnamthitta SP to register a case, investigate and take further action.

The court also directed the Judicial First Class Magistrate to oversee the investigation in the case.
As the detenue stated that she was not in any illegal custody, the court allowed her to go with her husband.
The bench posted the case to January 3 for report of Magistrate and DGP.