Kerala High Court Calls For Expedite Probe Into Allegations Of Pink Police Officer Humiliating Minor In Public Gaze

The Kerala High Court today directed the concerned authorities to place on record the action initiated against a Civil Police Officer who had allegedly mortified a child and her father in a public road while accusing them of theft.Justice Devan Ramachandran was hearing a matter where an 8-year-old girl was allegedly accused of stealing a mobile phone from a Pink Police Officer and thereby humiliated in public. The phone was later recovered from accused's bag which was kept in the patrolling vehicle itself. Advocate A.K. Preetha appearing for the petitioner brought to the notice of the Court that the only action taken against the Civil Police Officer was a transfer to a favourable location and urged that stringent action be initiated against her."Learned Counsel for the petitioner vividly narrated certain incidents in which she says that her client of 8 years had to endure humiliation in the public gaze...The allegations, without meaning to say they are correct or otherwise, are certainly sufficient to bring angst to any right-thinking person." The Single Bench also added:"The incident has left an indelible psychiatric imprint on her young mind and I'm told that now she is scared of every khaki uniform. It is too early a stage to conclude if the allegations are right or wrong. It is too early a stage for this Court to conclude whether the allegations made in this writ petition are right or wrong. But certainly, these are ones which should engage the attention of the second respondent state police chief personally with all the seriousness that it deserves." The Judge orally expressed his shock and disappointment at the incident when the matter was taken up:"She is an 8-year-old girl. Assuming the allegations are right, how can a police officer treat her like this? Traumatising a child, what will the world think of us?"The Court was then informed that the incident took place in August. Considering that sufficient time has passed since the unfortunate episode, the Judge demanded to know the action taken against Renjitha, the concerned police officer. Senior Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor O. Narayanan submitted that he only had oral instructions in the matter and as per such instructions, the officer had been transferred to Kollam and is undergoing behavioural training. However, he sought time to confirm the same and place them on record. The matter has been listed to be taken up on 29th November, by which time an affidavit has been directed to be filed explaining the action taken against the officer. Empathising with the plight of the child, the Judge informed the petitioner's counsel that he was willing to give her any support she requires, including medical attention and protection. However, the counsel informed the Court that at the moment, she was not facing any pressure. Also Read: 8 Yr Old Girl Moves Kerala High Court Against Pink Police Officer Over Public Humiliation In False Theft CaseClick Here To Read/Download The Order

Kerala High Court Calls For Expedite Probe Into Allegations Of Pink Police Officer Humiliating Minor In Public Gaze

Hannah M Varghese

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