In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage, a 17-year-old boy in Kasaragod, Kerala, claims he was severely beaten by Kumbala police officers on October 17. His alleged offense? Filming them as they were reportedly assaulting local residents during a street scuffle at Mogeal.
Adding to the shocking allegations, the teenager and his parents assert that when they attempted to file a formal complaint at the Kumbala police station, they were met with threats and pressure to become defendants in the very case they sought to report.
Eyewitness accounts detail that the police arrived at the scene following a brawl that erupted after a school festival. They allegedly used excessive force not only on those involved in the fight but also on innocent bystanders and even minor children who had no part in the dispute. The 17-year-old, capturing the events on his phone, was reportedly struck with a lathi when officers noticed him recording.
A relative later rushed the injured boy to the hospital. When hospital authorities notified the police about the assault, the family was summoned to the station two days later. Believing they were going to provide their statement, they were instead allegedly manipulated into signing documents designed to implicate them in a false case.
Compelling video footage, now circulating, appears to show police officers detaining the teenager and his friends from a nearby shop, corroborating parts of the family’s narrative.
The distressed family has since escalated their complaints, reaching out to the Chief Minister, the District Police Chief, and the Kerala State Human Rights Commission, demanding decisive action against the officers involved.
Police Justification: ‘Mild Force Used to Disperse Crowd’
Responding to the serious allegations, Kasaragod District Police Chief Vijay Bharath Reddy stated that officers were initially attempting to disperse a large crowd of approximately 400 students and locals who had gathered after a school festival.
Mr. Reddy explained, “The crowd had completely blocked both the main road and the service road, causing significant commotion and severe traffic congestion. Even ambulances found themselves stuck.”
He affirmed that the police resorted to “mild force” to restore law and order and ensure the free flow of traffic, further noting that a case was registered under Section 194(2) of the BNS concerning the incident.
While acknowledging the receipt of the family’s complaint, Mr. Reddy stated that currently there is “no evidence” to substantiate their specific allegations of assault. Nevertheless, he confirmed that an official order has been issued, instructing Kasaragod ACP Nandagopan to thoroughly investigate the matter and submit a comprehensive report.