RTI Reveals Another Case of Police Brutality in Kerala

Kerala is once again in the spotlight for alleged police excesses—this time, exposed not by a complaint or a viral video, but through an RTI application.

Businessman K P Ouseph recently sought CCTV footage from the Peechi police station in Thrissur. What the cameras revealed was disturbing: Sub-Inspector P M Ratheesh repeatedly assaulting two young hotel staff, Roni Johny and Lithin Philip, on May 24, 2023.

The assault reportedly followed a dispute at Ouseph’s restaurant over food quality. When the employees went to the police station to clarify matters, they were instead beaten and detained. Ouseph alleges that officers threatened to charge them with attempted murder unless he paid a hefty bribe.

Ouseph later released a video showing a “cash settlement,” where a man named Dinesh is seen demanding ₹5 lakh, allegedly with ₹3 lakh earmarked for police officials. Dinesh, however, denied this version on television, insisting he had only accepted ₹5,000 for medical expenses.

Initially, the police did not hand over the CCTV footage. It was only after Ouseph approached the State Information Commission that the visuals were finally released. South Zone IG S. Syamsunder has since acknowledged the incident, noting that the officer in question is now posted in Kochi. However, no concrete disciplinary action has been confirmed.

This is not an isolated case. Just last week, another RTI—filed by Kerala Youth Congress leader V S Sujith—exposed custodial violence at the Kunnamkulam police station. That revelation led to the suspension of four policemen, including a sub-inspector.

These back-to-back RTI revelations point to a troubling pattern: ordinary citizens being subjected to violence inside police stations, and accountability coming only after relentless follow-up.