Dalit woman was stripped and searched in police station, when she asked for water, she got toilet water! — Serious allegations against Kerala police

A 39-year-old Dalit woman from Kerala has made serious allegations of inhuman treatment, strip search and mental harassment in police custody. The FIR in the case turned out to be false, but action is still incomplete.

Published on: 19 May 2025, 4:09 pm

Thiruvananthapuram – In Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, a 39-year-old Dalit woman Bindu was not only arrested on false charges of theft, but also had to face inhuman mental torture in police custody. After this case came to light, there has been a stir in the state politics and the opposition has launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the police department.

False accusation of theft and torture in custody

Bindu, a domestic worker from Chullimanoor, was accused by her employer of stealing a gold chain on April 23. Based on this complaint, the Perurkada police called her and summoned her to the police station. On reaching the police station, the victim repeatedly said that she was innocent, but the police did not listen to her.

According to Bindu, a female police officer took her to a room, made her remove her clothes and searched her. Then the police took her to her house and searched it too. During this time, she was not allowed to talk to her family, nor was she given food and water.

Speaking to the media, Bindu said, “When I asked for water, a policeman said – ‘Go to the toilet and drink it from there’.”

Detained overnight, threatened to implicate daughters

Bindu said that they were kept in the police station overnight and the interrogation continued till the next morning. An FIR was filed and the police threatened them that if they did not confess to the theft, their minor daughters would also be implicated in the case.

Later, when the house owner and her daughter visited the police station again, they said they had been ‘forgiven’. After some time, it was discovered that the stolen gold chain was found in the house, and the complainant herself admitted that the allegation was false.

Ignoring complaint in CMO

When Bindu, with the help of a lawyer, submitted a written complaint to P. Sasi, political secretary to the chief minister, she claims Sasi neither read the complaint nor gave any assurance. “He said this is bound to happen and advised me to approach the court,” Bindu said.

However, later the CMO clarified that after receiving the complaint, the police was instructed to take action. But according to Bindu, he had also requested the CMO to register a case against the woman who made false allegations against him, which was rejected.

Outrage of opposition and social organizations

Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan condemned the incident and said, “This is not just an isolated incident but an example of injustice meted out to Dalits by the establishment. Strict action should be taken against the guilty police officials.”

Former Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan called it “inhuman” and said such incidents should have no place in a progressive society.

State Congress president Sunny Joseph and AIDWA (All India Democratic Women’s Association) national president P.K. Srimathi also condemned the incident. Srimathi said, “No woman should be treated like this. This is an example of police brutality.”

Policeman suspended, BNSS violated law

An inquiry conducted by Police Commissioner Thomson Jose found that there were several procedural mistakes in Bindu’s arrest. The probe found that the police violated provisions of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) – which prohibits arresting women after sunset and before sunrise, unless with the permission of a magistrate.

The police neither informed his family about the arrest nor gave any explanation to the court as to why the arrest was necessary in the emergency situation.

Based on these serious lapses, Sub-Inspector SG Prasad of Perurkada police station has been suspended and investigations are underway against other responsible officials.

Demand for justice

Bindu has lodged complaints with the chief minister, the state police chief and the Scheduled Caste Commission and is now preparing to move court. She said the police not only discriminated against her on the basis of caste but also tortured her physically and mentally.

Bindu said, “I have identified some policemen. I will go to court. I want justice.”