Kerala rights panel orders state to pay Rs 2 lakh to student assaulted by police while waiting for bus in Venjaramoodu
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has ordered the Kerala government to pay ₹2 lakh in compensation to a student who was brutally assaulted by police officers while waiting for a bus near Venjaramoodu over three years ago.
KSHRC Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas ruled that the monetary penalty be directly recovered from the five police personnel involved, including the then Sub-Inspector (SI) of the Venjaramoodu police station.
Breakdown of recovery & directive timelines
| Penalty Share / Mandate | Details |
| Sub-Inspector Share | ₹1.6 lakh to be recovered directly from the SI |
| Junior Officers Share | ₹10,000 to be recovered from each of the 4 policemen |
| Payment Deadline | Mandatory disbursement within 6 weeks |
| Default Penalty | 8% interest per annum applicable if payment is delayed |
| Compliance Report | Home Department ACS to submit action-taken report within 3 months |
"If the compensation is not paid within six weeks, interest at eight per cent will be applicable," it added.
Key findings & disciplinary directive
The commission called for formal disciplinary proceedings against the SI and his four subordinates. It expressed sharp criticism over the leniency shown by senior leadership, noting surprise that the then District Police Chief had imposed only a minor punishment of a 'record warning' on the offending officers, despite both the then State Police Chief and the then Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department confirming the severe physical assault.
Medical evaluations revealed the victim sustained severe injuries to his left hand, the left side of his chest, and his right shoulder, alongside evidence of dried blood inside his left ear.
Incident timeline & investigation
Police Defense: The SI claimed before the panel that legal action was initiated because the student had publicly questioned the officer's dignity.
Student's Account: The victim stated he was forcibly handcuffed and bundled into a police jeep simply because he did not flee upon seeing the patrol vehicle while sitting on a culvert near the bus stop.
CCTV & Forensic Findings: Examination of police station CCTV footage by the government and commission confirmed the physical assault by the SI. The KSHRC investigation wing concluded that all five officers committed serious breaches of discipline. (PTI)