Dept-level inquiry likely against police team for following leads on false accusation

Pathanamthitta: The Kerala Police acknowledges several shortcomings in their investigation of the fake man-missing case in Pathanamthitta.

The top brass of Kerala Police is disappointed with the investigation team's failure to corroborate the accusations made by Afsana, wife of Noushad, who has been missing for past 1.5 years, and was recently located from Thodupuzha in Idukki. 

The Pathanamthitta police, who conducted the investigation, faced criticism for their inept handling of the case and blindly pursuing leads based on false allegations provided by Afsana.

The Koodal Police investigated the case based on Afsana's assertion that she murdered her husband Noushad and dumped the body in a nearby water body. Despite discrepancies in her account, the investigation team failed to determine whether or not the missing guy was alive. Police also tried to trace the remains of the ‘deceased’ Noushad but to no avail, even after they dug the land near the rented accommodation where the couple stayed in Paruthipara in Pathanamthitta.

As per reports, the top brass of the state police is unhappy with the developments and is likely to launch a department-level probe against the officials. 

Meanwhile, Afsana, who was arrested in the case, accused police of torturing her in custody.

"I was mercilessly beaten up. Policemen used filthy language against me and I was sprayed with pepper on my face. Even women cops beat me up and I can't even stand up properly now," she said, adding that she would take legal action against the Konni DySp.

Afsana said that Noushad used to regularly beat her after consuming liquor and she did not know the reason why he had left the family one fine morning. 

She went on to say that Noushad would occasionally come home drunk and assault her before leaving the house for an extended period of time. She added that the day before Noushad went missing, he came home drunk and assaulted her and their son.