Kerala CM orders report amid flak after video shows pregnant woman assaulted by police

Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered urgent police action after CCTV visuals showed a pregnant woman being assaulted by a police officer inside a Kochi station, triggering renewed outrage over custodial violence and accountability.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take urgent action after CCTV footage emerged showing a pregnant woman being assaulted by a police officer inside the Ernakulam North Police Station in Kochi.

Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, the DGP sought an immediate report from the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in charge of law and order, indicating possible disciplinary action against the officer involved.

CCTV footage released on High Court directions

The visuals, released following directions from the Kerala High Court, show Prathap Chandran — then Station House Officer (SHO) of Ernakulam North Police Station and currently posted as SHO at Aroor — slapping the woman, identified as Shaimol N.J., and pushing her by grabbing her chest.

The CCTV footage also shows other police officers intervening and restraining the SHO after the assault.

The incident took place on June 20, 2024, but the footage entered the public domain only now, following what the complainant described as a year-long legal battle.

Shaimol, who was pregnant at the time, had gone to the police station after her husband was taken into custody for filming police personnel allegedly assaulting people in a public place.

Allegations of assault and false cases

According to the complaint, instead of addressing her grievance, the officer assaulted her inside the police station while other personnel, including women officers, were present.

Following the incident, the woman alleged that the police attempted to cover up the episode and registered false cases against her, including charges of attacking the police station.

The police had earlier denied the allegations, claiming they were attempting to defuse the situation. However, Shaimol and her husband continued to demand the release of the CCTV footage and eventually approached the court.

Opposition alleges ‘extreme brutality’

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Thursday described the visuals as evidence of “extreme brutality” within the Kerala Police, alleging a pattern of custodial violence and misuse of power.

He said the woman was assaulted for questioning what he described as the framing of her husband in a false case and accused the government of allowing a culture of impunity to prevail within the force.

Satheesan also linked the incident to earlier allegations of police excesses across the state, arguing that many such cases may have gone unreported due to lack of evidence.

No action yet; focus back on accountability 

Despite the seriousness of the footage, no action has so far been taken against the officer based solely on the visuals.

With the Chief Minister stepping in and the police leadership asked to submit an urgent report, the case has once again brought focus on allegations of custodial violence, police accountability, and the effectiveness of institutional safeguards meant to protect citizens — particularly women — from abuse of authority.