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Justice Devan Ramachandran of the Kerala High Court pulled up the state police over police brutality and observed that if there is a prompt action against any erring police officer, the entire force would change its attitude. The court, in an oral observation, also expressed concern over the rise in the number of complaints regarding police harassment, saying 'God help our State.'

The observation was made when the petition filed by by K Rajeev of Thenmala, Kollam, alleging police harassment came up for hearing. The court had earlier found that "at least two Police Officers had treated the petitioner with unimaginable barbarity– handcuffing him to the handrail of the police station and registering multiple cases against him- all because he dared to ask receipt for a complaint which he had preferred before the Police Complaints Authority."

The Court further remarked that “a police station is a public office, not a terror field. They are protectors, not persecutors. Any man, woman or child should feel free and confident to walk into a police station at any time.” The court also wondered how and why police believed they could do whatever they want and get away with it.

The Government Pleader sought further time of two months to complete the ongoing enquiry into the assertions made in the petition. The Court acceded to the request, however Justice Ramachandran enquired as to why the officer has not been charged with criminal charges.

The Court then made an observation that referred to the incident at  Aluva Police wherein a law student after her parents and opposition parties alleged that his inept handling led to the death of the 22-year-old. The student had left behind a suicide note in which he blamed her husband, in-laws and police officer CL Sudheer for her death. Her husband and in-laws were arrested on Wednesday but no action was taken against the officer which led to a big protest in the state.

Rajeev K. v. State of Kerala