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Keralam to Pay Teacher Rs 12.5 Lakh for Muthanga Torture
In 2003, tribal families protested for land in Muthanga, Kerala.
The protest became violent during an operation to remove the protesters.
Teacher K K Surendran said police took him from his staff room and hurt him in custody.
He was charged in three cases linked to the protest, but the CBI later cleared him.
Surendran asked a court for compensation.
One court first ordered Rs 5 lakh, and a later court raised it to Rs 12.5 lakh plus interest.
The court said two police officers were responsible and ordered the state to recover the money from their personal assets.
The government has now decided to pay rather than appeal further.
The Keralam government has sanctioned Rs 12.5 lakh for teacher K K Surendran over illegal arrest and custodial torture linked to the 2003 Muthanga agitation.
Surendran was taken from his staff room on February 22, 2003, and allegedly assaulted at Sulthan Bathery police station.
He was accused in three cases related to the agitation but was later cleared by the CBI and removed from the accused lists.
A Sub Court initially awarded Rs 5 lakh; the Additional District Court-II later increased the compensation to Rs 12.5 lakh, with six per cent annual interest.
The government will release the compensation and seek recovery from the personal assets of former officers P Viswambaran and V Devaraj.
- Who
- Teacher K K Surendran; the Keralam government; former police officers P Viswambaran and V Devaraj.
- What
- The government sanctioned Rs 12.5 lakh compensation for Surendran, with recovery to be sought from the two officers' personal assets.
- Where
- Sulthan Bathery, in connection with the Muthanga agitation in Wayanad, Kerala.
- When
- The alleged arrest and torture occurred on February 22, 2003; the government order was issued on October 8, and the report is dated October 10.
- Why
- Courts held that Surendran was illegally arrested and subjected to custodial torture, and found the two officers responsible.
Key facts
- Compensation sanctioned
- Rs 12.5 lakh, with six per cent annual interest from the date the original suit was filed until payment
- Original claim
- Rs 15,00,647
- Initial Sub Court award
- Rs 5 lakh, with three per cent annual interest
- Alleged arrest
- February 22, 2003
- Court finding
- Former officers P Viswambaran and V Devaraj were held responsible for the illegal arrest, custodial torture and injuries
- Related cases
- Surendran was accused in three cases and was later cleared by the CBI
- Government decision
- Comply with the court judgment rather than pursue further appeals
Quotes
Keralam government order
Government order directing the police chief to pay Surendran and recover the amount from two former officers.
“The State Police Chief shall take necessary steps to release the compensation to KK Surendran at the earliest, and to recover the compensation amount paid from the personal assets of P Viswambaran, Former Sub Inspector of Police, Sulthan Bathery Police Station and V Devaraj, Former Circle Inspector of Police, Sulthan Bathery Police Station”
theprint.in
“I have been fighting for justice for the past 23 years. I thank everyone who gave me strength for my struggle.”
theprint.in
Sources
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