A 39-year-old Dalit woman filed charges against police and the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on the grounds that the false theft case she registered was later proved to be unfounded. She claimed she was detained overnight at the police station without food or sleep, and police officers demanded toilet water, sparking widespread anger.
Local domestic worker R Bindhu claims she suffered severe mental torture and harassment at the Perooorkkada police station last month after her employer who worked in the house filed a complaint with her employer alleging she stole a gold chain. Bindhu talked about her ordeal on a TV channel on Monday, and with the help of his lawyer, he filed a complaint with the Chief Minister’s political secretary P Sasi.
However, SASI allegedly refused to read it and suggested that she get the court. After the allegations, the opposition Congress lashed out at the CMO and demanded strict action against the police involved. Later, official sources confirmed that a deputy inspector from Perooorkkada station was suspended before the investigation.
According to Bindhu, she was summoned to the station on the evening of April 23, with the owner and her daughter present. The police told her about the missing chain and asked her to return it. “I told them repeatedly that I didn’t steal the chain, but they didn’t believe me. A female police officer took me into the room, moved to my top, searched me. Then, they took me to my house for a search. I also weren’t allowed to talk to my family on the phone.”
Binhuzi said that she had mentioned FIR and was imprisoned overnight and questioned in the early morning of the next day. “I didn’t give me food or water and I was not allowed to sleep. When I asked for water, a police officer told me to go to the bathroom to drink. They used abusive language and threatened that my teenage daughter would all hint at my teenage daughter if I didn’t admit it.”
The next morning, the homeowner and her daughter returned to the station to meet with the circle inspector. Binder said they later told her she was “forgived” and the complaint was being withdrawn. A police officer allegedly told her husband that the missing chain was found at the complainant’s home.
Bindhu also filed a complaint with the State DGP and SC/ST committees, demanding measures against the police to sue their alleged inhumane treatment. “I went to the Secretariat and complained to someone in the CM office. My defense attorney said it was P Sasi, the political secretary of CM. He hadn’t read the complaint, but just put it aside.”
Bindu said Sassie told her that if the chain goes missing, the homeowner has the right to complain and the police will take corresponding actions. He allegedly added that she should express her dissatisfaction in court. The CMO denied the allegations and noted that the Political Minister had forwarded her complaint to the police for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, opposition leader VD Satheesan demanded a mentally torture attack on the woman for more than 20 hours. Satheesan asked in Alappuzha reporter: “The water in the toilet is someone in custody and Pinarayi Vijayan holds a home run?
He said the woman was insulted again when she contacted the CMO for help, adding: “This is the justice that Dalit women received from the Chief Minister’s Office.” KPCC head Sunny Joseph visited Bindhu and his family in Chullimanoor to express his condolences and guaranteed the full support of the Congress party.
As the controversy intensifies, CPI(M) Secretary of State MV Govindan said the party and the government will not defend any misconduct and ensure strong action. However, he declined to comment on specific allegations against P SASI. His department will also seek reports from the police.
Meanwhile, the state Human Rights Commission has registered cases separately based on media reports.
Commission Chairman Alexander Thomas ordered an investigation by the Deputy Commissioner of Police/Assistant Commissioner outside the area.
The team directed the victim’s statements to be recorded in the presence of a female lawyer and to check CCTV footage at the station. Instruct the local police chief to submit a report within one month.
Bindhu expressed comfort for the initial government action and urged authorities to take strict litigation against two other police officers who harassed her and against the complainant who filed a false case.
