Thiruvananthapuram

The Congress-led opposition UDF on Tuesday strongly criticized the Kerala government over rising cases of alleged custodial torture and demanded that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan relinquish the Home portfolio. UDF legislator Roji M John, speaking in the assembly, accused the CM of treating police misconduct as isolated incidents, which he said has led to the decline of the state home department.

Moving an adjournment motion, John alleged that police officers close to the CM and the ruling CPI(M) are acting with impunity. He cited recent reports of custodial torture in Kunnamkulam, Peechi, and Kundara police stations, warning that the CM would be held responsible unless he gave up the Home portfolio and ordered the immediate removal of accused officers.

The opposition raised the issue during Zero Hour, weeks after CCTV footage surfaced showing the alleged torture of Youth Congress leader Sujith at Kunnamkulam police station two years ago. John recalled Sujith’s harassment and referred to historic assembly debates on custodial violence, highlighting that CM Vijayan had previously protested such incidents. While the UDF stressed the urgency of addressing police atrocities, LDF legislator Xavier Chittilappilly accused them of politicizing the matter for “political gains.”