A 20-year-old heart patient from Kerala has alleged that he was subjected to custodial torture after being detained by police in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case that was later found to be false. In a petition submitted to Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, the young man claimed that he was taken into custody despite having no connection to the allegations made in the case. The incident has sparked concerns about police procedures, the treatment of suspects in sensitive cases, and the impact of false accusations on innocent individuals.
According to reports, the Koodal police registered two cases under the POCSO Act on Friday following a complaint filed by a 13-year-old girl, who alleged that she had been sexually harassed by several individuals, including some of her classmates. However, subsequent medical examinations and the girl’s statement before a magistrate reportedly revealed that the allegations were false. The youth stated in his petition that police officers arrived at his residence at around 8 pm on July 3 and took him into custody without providing any prior notice, explanation, or official documentation. He further alleged that the officers involved were dressed in civilian clothes and transported him in a private vehicle.
The young man, who claimed to have previously undergone bypass surgery, said he informed the police about his medical condition during questioning and repeatedly maintained that he neither knew the complainant nor had any involvement in the alleged incident. Despite this, he alleged that he was physically assaulted with a stick and verbally abused while in custody. He has demanded strict action against the police personnel allegedly responsible for the assault and has also sought action against the complainant under Section 22 of the POCSO Act, which provides for punishment in cases involving false complaints or maliciously fabricated information. The case has drawn public attention and renewed discussions about accountability, due process, and the handling of false allegations in criminal investigations.
