Thiruvananthapuram: Home minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday directed state police chief to submit a detailed report within a week into the alleged custodial torture of a Youth Congress (YC) functionary at Kunnamkulam police station in Thrissur in 2023.The directive was issued after the victim, V S Sujith, met Chennithala in Thiruvananthapuram and personally narrated the alleged assault and torture he was subjected to inside the station. According to the complaint, Sujith was allegedly assaulted by three policemen.Sources said the home minister sought an urgent report from police chief on circumstances that led to the incident, role of police personnel involved and action initiated by the department so far. The alleged custodial assault has triggered political controversy, with Congress and YC accusing police of misuse of power and demanding strict action against officers involved. The incident has once again brought focus on allegations of custodial violence and police excesses in Kerala, an issue that has repeatedly surfaced in the state over the years.Sujith reportedly told Chennithala that he was physically assaulted inside the station by three policemen and sustained injuries during the incident. He is understood to have requested intervention to ensure a fair investigation and disciplinary action against the officers concerned.
