Kerala High Court Demands Report on Custodial Torture Allegations

Quick Summary

• The Kerala High court has asked the State government for a report on measures to hold police officials accountable in custodial torture cases.
• The directive follows a petition by K. Jayakrishnan, a Pathanamthitta native and former Students Federation of India (SFI) leader, who alleged he was brutally assaulted while in police custody.
• Jayakrishnan accused alappuzha Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhu Babu (then circle Inspector) and K. Gopakumar (then Sub Inspector at Konni police station) of the assault and sought criminal prosecution against them.
• The petitioner claimed that his name was unjustly entered as an accused in multiple unsolved cases after the incident.
• Despite a District Police Chief’s report recommending action against the officers involved, little action has reportedly been taken.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The Kerala High Court’s decision to demand accountability in custodial torture highlights growing concerns regarding transparency and duty within law enforcement institutions in India.Allegations such as those raised by K. Jayakrishnan not only cast doubt on individual officers but also raise broader questions about systemic failures to protect citizens’ rights and avoid misuse of power during custody procedures. If substantiated, incidents like these may erode public trust in law enforcement unless timely corrective measures are adopted.

This progress underscores the judicial system’s role as a custodian of basic rights, emphasizing that institutional abuses must be addressed with impartiality to ensure fair treatment for all citizens under Indian law.

Read More: Published – September 16, 2025 11:13 pm IST