Thiruvananthapuram, July 5 (IANS) Even as Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala is attempting to cleanse the state of the drug menace, the police force under his control has come under serious criticism after a young man who had undergone bypass surgery alleged that he was brutally assaulted while in custody in connection with a POCSO case that police now believe was based on a fabricated complaint.

The controversy has raised fresh questions over alleged police excesses and the handling of sensitive cases involving minors.

The youth, who was detained in connection with an alleged sexual assault complaint filed by a 13-year-old girl in Konni, claimed that he was subjected to severe custodial violence despite repeatedly informing officers that he had recently undergone bypass surgery.

According to the youth, police officers stomped on his legs with their boots, pulled him by his hair, twisted his ears and physically assaulted him throughout his detention.

The detained youth said that he was taken into custody on the evening of July 3 and was released only on Saturday evening.

During this period, several minors were also kept inside the police station.

The detained youth also alleged that his brother was mistakenly taken into custody before being released after police realised the error.

The complaint had reached the police through the Child Helpline.

Based on the statement given by the 13-year-old girl, six persons, including some of her classmates, were taken into custody from Saturday morning for questioning.

However, police said the girl’s subsequent statements differed significantly from her original version, prompting investigators to re-examine the case.

All six persons were later released from custody.

Investigators now believe that the girl’s allegations were entirely false.

According to the police, the complaint was allegedly fabricated following emotional distress arising from a breakup with one of her classmates.

They said the story was invented out of anger after the relationship ended.

Despite reaching this preliminary conclusion, police have clarified that the investigation has not been closed.

The POCSO cases that were registered will continue to be investigated in accordance with the law.

Officers will also examine the circumstances under which the girl allegedly gave a false statement to the Child Helpline.

In addition, investigators are probing whether anyone may have administered narcotic substances to the minor before the complaint was made, as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

The allegations of custodial assault against the police are also expected to come under scrutiny, adding another dimension to a case that has sparked widespread concern over both police conduct and the handling of child protection complaints.

–IANS

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