CI Prathapachandran Suspended After CCTV Shows Assault On Pregnant Woman At Ernakulam Station
Kochi: The Kerala government has suspended the police officer after CCTV footage surfaced showing him assaulting a pregnant woman inside the Ernakulam North Police Station last year.
The incident, which triggered widespread public outrage, has once again raised serious questions about police brutality and the safety of women inside police stations.
The victim, Shaimol, was pregnant at the time and holding her three-month-old infant. Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, she alleged that the police initially fabricated stories and denied the incident, even claiming that CCTV footage had been erased.
The officer seen in the video is Circle Inspector K.G. Prathapachandran, who was serving as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Ernakulam North Police Station at the time.
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He has now been suspended from service following an order by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take urgent action.
The incident took place on June 20, 2024. Shaimol said her husband, Benjo Baby, who runs Ben Tourist Home and Hotel near the North Police Station, was detained by police after he filmed officers allegedly beating two individuals in public.
“I saw my husband being taken away in a police vehicle. I followed them in an autorickshaw and reached the police station. When I entered, I saw policemen beating my husband,” Shaimol told Mathrubhumi News.
When she questioned the officers about the assault, an argument broke out. “They grabbed me, pushed me by the chest, and slapped me,” she said. At that time, she was pregnant and carrying her infant child.
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The CCTV footage from inside the police station clearly shows CI Prathapachandran pushing Shaimol on her chest and slapping her on the face while she is holding her baby. The visuals went viral on social media after being released following a High Court directive.
Shaimol said the police repeatedly denied the incident after it happened. “They said I dragged my child to the station and accused me of attacking police officers. They also said the CCTV footage was not available,” she alleged.
Despite filing complaints and demanding action, no steps were taken initially. With no response from authorities, Shaimol and her family approached the court. “It took one full year of legal struggle to finally get the CCTV footage,” she said, adding that several police personnel were involved and later tried to cover up the assault.
After the video surfaced and sparked public anger, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered immediate action. The DGP sought a detailed report from the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in charge of Law and Order, paving the way for disciplinary proceedings.
Prathapachandran, who is currently serving as SHO of Aroor Police Station, has now been suspended. The Home Department issued the suspension order on Thursday evening.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheeshan shared the video on social media and strongly criticised the incident. “Is this the much-touted promise of women’s safety?” he wrote, calling it a shocking example of police brutality.
Shaimol said the suspension came only after sustained public pressure. “They tried to erase the truth and silence us. I will never forget that day or the way they treated me,” she told Mathrubhumi News.
