Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Keralam to Pay Teacher ₹12.5 Lakh in Muthanga Case
In 2003, tribal families in Muthanga were protesting for land.
During that period, teacher K K Surendran said police took him from his staff room and hurt him at a police station.
He was charged in three cases connected to the protest, but the CBI later cleared him.
Surendran asked a court for compensation.
A lower court first awarded him ₹5 lakh.
A higher court increased the amount to ₹12.5 lakh, plus interest, and held two former police officers responsible.
The government has decided to pay him and recover the money from those officers’ personal assets.
Surendran said he had been fighting for justice for 23 years.
Keralam has sanctioned ₹12.5 lakh compensation for teacher K K Surendran over alleged custodial torture linked to the 2003 Muthanga agitation.
Surendran said he was taken from his staff room on February 22, 2003, and assaulted at Sulthan Bathery police station.
He was named in three cases related to the agitation but was later cleared by the CBI and removed from all three accused lists.
A lower court awarded ₹5 lakh; an appellate court dismissed appeals and increased the award to ₹12.5 lakh, with six per cent annual interest.
The government will pay 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, and former police officers P Viswambaran and V Devaraj.
- What
- The government sanctioned ₹12.5 lakh in compensation for Surendran and will seek recovery from the two officers’ personal assets.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on February 22, 2003; the government order was issued on October 8.
- Where
- Sulthan Bathery and the Muthanga area of Wayanad, Keralam.
- Why
- The appellate court upheld Surendran’s compensation claim and held the two officers responsible for his illegal arrest, custodial torture, and injuries.
- Compensation
- ₹12.5 lakh, with six per cent annual interest from the date the original suit was filed until payment
- Original claim
- ₹15,00,647 for alleged illegal arrest, custodial torture, loss of reputation, and other damages
- Initial award
- The Sub Court in Sulthan Bathery awarded ₹5 lakh, with three per cent annual interest
- Alleged incident
- Surendran said he was taken from his staff room on February 22, 2003, and assaulted at Sulthan Bathery police station
- Related cases
- Surendran was accused in three cases linked to the agitation and was later cleared by the CBI
- Officers held responsible
- Former Sub Inspector P Viswambaran and former Circle Inspector V Devaraj
- Government action
- An October 8 order directs the State Police Chief to pay Surendran and recover the compensation from the officers’ personal assets
Sources
Muthanga Agitation Case: Kerala Govt Sanctions ₹12.5 Lakh Compensation To Teacher After 23-Year Fight For Justice Over Alleged Custodial Torture
Muthanga Teacher Torture Case: Govt To Pay Rs 12.5 Lakh Compensation
