Wayanad police accused of mistreating sexual assault survivor; woman collapses at station

Wayanad, Kerala: The cops at Ambalavayal station are facing serious allegations of mistreating a 23-year-old sexual assault survivor and her family when they approached the station seeking justice.

The family alleged that the woman was made to wait for hours without her statement being recorded, and that a police officer threatened and humiliated her. The woman later collapsed at the station and is currently undergoing treatment at Kalpetta General Hospital.

The survivor’s mother told the media that even the basic dignity owed to a victim was denied.

“The questions asked to my daughter in front of me were not appropriate,” she said, breaking down. The family also alleged that the mother was asked to step outside during questioning.

According to the complaint, the police deliberately delayed proceedings, making the family wait for hours. The young woman, who had not eaten since the previous night, was reportedly made to sit idle even after reaching the station in the afternoon. The police allegedly prioritised recording statements of others before calling her in. When her statement was finally being taken in the evening, she was pressured again, with officers accusing her of being uncooperative.

The family said the survivor was in a state of extreme fear when she arrived at the station, repeatedly saying that she feared for her life and that those who harmed her would not spare her. Despite her condition, the police allegedly failed to show empathy and instead treated her like an accused.

It is also alleged that although a female police officer was present, a male officer took control of the proceedings. When the woman officer suggested recording the statement, the male officer reportedly insisted on first hearing the details himself. The manner in which sensitive details of the assault were questioned allegedly pushed the survivor into further mental distress.

The survivor had reportedly been working at a house near Ambalavayal, where she faced sexual assault by the homeowner and his son. She was allegedly confined there and was unable to contact her family. After escaping, she first approached the Ambalavayal police station for help. She was later shifted to the ‘Snehitha’ protection centre in Kalpetta, and after counselling there, she returned to the station to give her statement.

However, the Ambalavayal police have denied all allegations, stating that only routine delays occurred and that the woman collapsed due to physical discomfort while her statement was being recorded.