Yet to return to work, filed RTI to know details of cops who hit me, says Muvattupuzha native

Kochi: A Muvattupuzha native who was mistakenly picked up and assaulted by Ernakulam rural police says that he is unable to return to work due to the stress he endured during the manhandling.

The victim, Amal Antony (35) from Perumballoor, said that he was determined to proceed with a legal fight against the police officers and had filed an RTI request seeking details of the policemen who assaulted him. Meanwhile, an inquiry ordered into the alleged harassment, which occurred on Aug 12, is yet to be completed.

Amal said that he was having lunch after selling an old battery to a scrap dealer when a man in plain clothes came looking for him.

"He asked if I was Amal and whether I sold a battery. He did not identify himself as a policeman yet I said I did because it was an old battery that we disposed of. Immediately, he dragged me by the arm and five other policemen came to the spot in a police vehicle," he said.

Amal said that the policemen dragged him into the vehicle. "One of them said that it was a stolen battery that I sold. I tried to counter them, but without even listening, they started beating me. I was hit on my neck and back. While dragging me on the road, my leg got hurt and started bleeding. I was beaten up by five officers in the back of the jeep as well," said Amal.

He added that he was taken to a hospital but even the doctor did not attend to him. "They made me wash my leg as it was bleeding and took me to the police station. It was then that the complainant realised that the battery I sold was not theirs and that they made a mistake. I was not even made to sign anywhere and was sent home," said Amal.

He said that he was picked up by 1.15pm and sent home by 3pm. "The police picked me up and assaulted me just because they saw me with a battery on CCTV. There would be lakhs of similar batteries made by the same company and they can only be distinguished with a serial number. Still, without doing any background check, they came to my home, dragged me out and hit me despite me not having any criminal history," said Amal, who is an electrician.

He said he was still unable to return to regular work. "My work requires me to carry weight and climb stairs. It is hard work and I have been advised two months' rest. I have trouble even speaking," said Amal.

Amal said that he later lodged a complaint with the SP office while the Muvattupuzha DSP visited him and took a detailed statement. Officers from the special branch also enquired with him, he said.

Meanwhile, Ernakulam rural police sources said that the DSP's inquiry was in its last phase and a report would soon be filed. Police, however, have not filed an FIR against the officers who assaulted Amal as the enquiry is still pending.