Pregnant Woman Slapped Inside Kerala Police Station, CCTV Exposes Brutality; CM Orders Strict Action

Thiruvananthapuram:
A shocking incident of alleged police brutality has surfaced in Kerala, where a Station House Officer (SHO) is seen pushing and slapping a pregnant woman inside a police station. The disturbing act, captured on CCTV cameras, has sparked statewide outrage and prompted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to order strict action against the erring officials.

The incident occurred in June 2024 at the Town North Police Station, but the matter resurfaced after CCTV footage recently came into the public domain. The woman seen in the video has been identified as N. J. Shyamol, while the accused officer is SHO Pratap Chandran.

Woman Assaulted While Seeking Husband’s Release

According to the victim, Shyamol, she had gone to the police station along with her small child to inquire about her husband Ben Jo, who had been taken into custody. She alleged that instead of being given information, she was subjected to physical assault. The CCTV footage reportedly shows a plainclothes police officer pushing her forcefully and slapping her in full view inside the station premises.

Shyamol later addressed a press conference, accusing the police of not only assaulting her but also implicating her husband in a false criminal case.

Husband Falsely Framed, Claims Family

Ben Jo alleged that he was detained merely for recording a video in which police officers were forcibly taking two theft suspects into custody outside his tourist home. He claimed that the police, angered by the filming, booked him as a third accused in the theft case on fabricated charges, including obstructing official duty.

“I committed no crime, yet I was kept in jail for five days,” Ben Jo said. “Despite repeatedly informing the police that my wife was pregnant, they assaulted her and later accused her of attacking an officer.”

Police Denial and Clean Chit Questioned

At the time of the incident, the police had denied all allegations, claiming that Ben Jo was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman guest at his tourist home. An internal departmental inquiry reportedly gave the SHO a clean chit, a decision now under scrutiny following the release of the CCTV footage.

Allegations of Further Irregularities

Ben Jo further alleged that during his medical examination at a hospital, a junior medical officer asked him to sign a blank document, which he refused. He stated that complaints were filed with the Chief Minister’s Office, the Information Commission, and the Kerala Human Rights Commission, but no effective action followed.

CM Orders Action After CCTV Revelation

Following the emergence of the video, the Kerala Chief Minister has directed the State Police Chief to take strict and immediate action against those responsible, signaling a possible reopening of the case and disciplinary proceedings.

Shyamol, speaking emotionally, said, “The officer should experience the same pain and humiliation that my family went through. Only then will he understand the emotional trauma caused to us.”

The incident has once again raised serious questions about police accountability, custodial behavior, and the safety of women—especially pregnant women—inside police stations, places meant to ensure protection, not perpetrate fear.

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