NHRC issues show cause notice to Kerala government

In a case of torture of a house maid in a police station in Kerala, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show cause notice to government of Kerala asking why an interim relief of Rs 3 lakh be not recommended to be paid to the victim.
"The extent of police torture meted out to the victim is clearly established. The conduct of the erring police officials seems to have transgressed all the limits on its power and the same amounts to a gross violation of the human rights of the victim," observed Justice D Murugesan, Member of NHRC, on the basis of the material on record.

The Commission took cognizance of the matter on the basis of the a complaint that Leeba Ratheesh was taken to Cheranallur Police Station, Ernakulam on a complaint of missing gold from the house of her employer.
The police kept her in detention for 38 hours and severely tortured her. She was also denied food and drinking water during custody. After she was released on bail, her friends took her to the district hospital, Ernakulam, where on medical examination, it was found that she had suffered serious spinal injuries due to police torture, an NHRC statement said.
Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, a report was received confirming the torture she was subjected to by six police personnel, including a sub-inspector, assistant sub-inspector and four lady police constables.

They were suspended from service and a criminal case was registered against them. Investigation in the matter is underway by the Crime Branch, Ernakulam, the statement added.