With several reports of police atrocities against those taken into custody surfacing, a family in Kerala’s Adoor has decided to fight for the alleged custodial death of their son.

The family of DYFI the youth wing of the CPI(M) leader Joel, who died in 2020 after alleged custodial torture, has vowed to pursue a legal battle until justice is served. Joel’s father, K.K. Joikutty, alleged that local CPI(M) leaders supported police brutality against his son, fearing he might expose party secrets.

He further stated that the CPI(M)’s claim that Joel was expelled from the party was “a lie” and insisted that the family would not relent until accountability is fixed. Joel, popularly known as Nellimukal Kochumukal Joel, was reportedly assaulted by the police on January 1, 2020, during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government (2016-21). He succumbed to his injuries four months later, on May 22.

According to the family, the assault was carried out under the instructions of CPI(M) leaders, who allegedly wanted to shield financial irregularities. They accused the then Circle Inspector U. Biju and his team of brutally beating Joel, leaving him with severe health complications that led to his death. Joel’s paternal aunt, K.K. Kunjamma, who attempted to intervene, was also allegedly beaten by the police. Despite filing complaints with the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief in 2020, the family said no action was taken. The Congress has since demanded a reinvestigation, describing the case as “deeply suspicious”.

The CPI(M) leadership, however, has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that Joel died of a heart attack and that the party had no connection to the incident. Joel was initially taken into custody following a dispute related to a vehicle accident. The subsequent assault reportedly caused serious physical problems, forcing him to undergo months of treatment. Family members said he suffered from severe complications, including pus and blood in his urine, before passing away on 22 May 2020. Reiterating their stand, Joel’s family said they would not rest until those responsible for his death are brought to justice. Meanwhile, with a fresh session of the Kerala Assembly beginning next week, the Congress-led opposition is readying a list of custodial brutalities that people have suffered under the Vijayan regime.

-IANS

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The post Family Of DYFI Leader Alleges Custodial Killing, Vows Legal Fight Against CPI(M) And Police appeared first on The Commune.

A 23-year-old youth had claimed that the Avadi Government Railway Police (GRP) physically assaulted and verbally abused him during an inquiry after detaining him on suspicion of mobile theft on 16 May 2024. The young man, K. Vasantha Kumar from Vyasarpadi, was apprehended by the police at Avadi Railway Station.

According to Vasantha Kumar, the police accused him of stealing mobile phones and took him to the station, where he alleges he was physically assaulted for nearly two hours by three officers. Kumar shared his ordeal with the media at Government Stanley Hospital on 17 May 2024. After the alleged assault, Kumar said the police released him without filing any charges. He went home late Thursday night and subsequently sought medical treatment.

Vasantha Kumar recounted the harrowing experience he had endured to the journalist, “Yesterday, I was sitting in the railway station around 10 to 10:30, I didn’t go to work, I was going to Avadi to see my friend because (my family) would scold me if I went home. While I was sitting there, policemen came and asked why are you sitting here. I said ‘I should go to work, if i go to to home they will scold’, they asked me where you work, I replied, ‘I was working in Villivakkam’ they asked If you’re working in Villivakkam, where is your home’ I said, ‘It’s in Vyasarpadi’ saying Vyasarpadi. said ‘Come on, we will take a picture of you, and send you away’. They asked for my phone number and I gave it. They bought my phone and took me to the station. they took me to the station and took off my clothes, I don’t have anything, I have completed my college, to which they said that ‘you may have finish college, come aside’. They said that 6 phones are missing here, did you take them? I told him sir that I’m not that kind of person, check and see if there is any case. To that do you know what he did? he spoke bad words and beat me. I never agreed till the end, I said even I wont do this again. Telling me Lets go inside, they took me inside, tied both my hands, put a pipe in the middle, and beat me for two hours sir. They cussed me. I said leave me I didn’t do anything, then they said give me a phone I will leave you from here, otherwise we won’t let go, we will keep beating till evening.”

Vasantha Kumar further mentioned that despite his request for water, the police declined to assist. Eventually, they gestured to him, handing over the phone, and advised him not to approach their area. When asked about the number of policemen who beat him, he identified three officers from the Avadi Railway Station police.

''6 செல்போனை திருடிட்டேனு சொல்லி கைய மேல தூக்கி கட்டிட்டு 2 காலையும் நீட்ட சொல்லி 2 மணி நேரமா 3 போலீஸ்காரங்க என்ன போட்டு அடிச்சாங்க சார்.. '' குடிக்க தண்ணீர் கேட்டா கூட குடுக்கல.. இளைஞர் பரபரப்பு பேட்டி…!#Chennai | #Youngster | #PoliceAttack | #GovtHospital | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/PTkLwTBId1

— Polimer News (@polimernews) May 17, 2024

When News Tamil 24×7 reporters visited the hospital to cover the incident, they observed three plainclothes police officers comforting the victim’s mother. The officers explained that the theft problem in the area was severe, which is why Vasantha Kumar had been taken to the police station, assuring her that they would handle the situation. When the reporters inquired about the identities of the officers who assaulted Vasantha Kumar and the actions taken against them, the supposed Sub-Inspector refused to respond.

நிர்வாணப்படுத்தி 2 மணிநேரம் கொடூரம்.! வியாசர்பாடினா அடிப்பீங்களா? #Chennai #ViyasarpadiYouth #policeattacked #newstamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/CLFA1YBSUz

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) May 18, 2024

While a senior GRP officer, speaking to TNIE, refuted Kumar’s claims stated that his account is exaggerated and influenced by external factors. The officer mentioned that Kumar was questioned for about 30 to 45 minutes and then released, denying any assault by the police. An internal inquiry has been initiated to investigate Kumar’s claims.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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The post Vyasarpadi Youth Alleges Assault By Police During Investigation At Avadi Railway Police Station, Police Deny appeared first on The Commune.