KASARAGOD
The Kerala State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (KSCSCST) has issued an order to the authorities to register a criminal case against five police personnel in connection with the death of an accused in a Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse (POCSO) case, who jumped into the sea during the evidence collection. The incident took place on July 22, 2020, when the accused, K. Mahesh, a resident of Kaliyangad in Kudlu, was taken to the Kasaba fishing harbour in Kasaragod for evidence collection. He was charged under the POCSO Act for allegedly recording bathroom visuals of a minor girl on his mobile phone. Mahesh, who was handcuffed, jumped into the sea during the evidence collection. His body was found lying on the shores of Udupi 13 days later. Following the incident, his sister, Chandravati, approached the KSCSCST and filed a complaint. Commission Chairman B.S. Mavji directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, and the Kasaragod District Police Chief to register a criminal case against the police personnel. The commission observed that there was a gross mistake committed by the police personnel in handcuffing the accused. It also directed that action be taken against Kasaragod police Inspector P. Rajesh, sub-inspector U.P. Vipin, junior sub-inspector Rupa Madhusoodan, grade SI K.V. Sumesh Raj, and civil police officer Pramod. The commission held the government responsible for the death of Mahesh and ordered payment of ₹10 lakh to his parents as compensation.
