R. Bindu, a young Dalit woman, was subjected to brutal abuse at the hands of police officers who acted on prejudiced assumptions that her dark skin meant she was a thief. Suspected in connection with a missing gold chain, Bindu was summoned to the police station by Sub-Inspector S.G. Prasad. What followed was 21 hours of relentless mental and physical torture.
While stories of custodial violence are often heard, it is impossible to imagine the sheer horror until one experiences it in their own flesh. Bindu was even forced to change clothes in front of male police officers simply because she had washed her face. When she asked for water, she was denied even toilet water to drink—an act of inhuman cruelty.
As they kept repeating the question, “Where is the chain?”, the officers hurled abuses at Bindu and attempted to physically assault her. She was detained in the station until 9 PM and released only after being warned not to lodge any complaint.
Even though her family had leftist political leanings, they received no support or favourable response from the police. They had to endure dehumanizing treatment with not even the basic decency accorded to a woman.
As the incident came to light, public outrage erupted. Protests were staged even in front of the Chief Minister’s office. Initially, even a complaint made to the political secretary was ignored. Eventually, however, S.I. Prasad was suspended and action was initiated against four other officers.
With pain in her voice, Bindu says, “I even thought about ending my life. It was only for my children that I held on. No other woman should have to go through what I did.”
Bindu’s story, of fighting the dark forces of injustice with the truth of her own experience, must serve as a crucial lesson for the police system in Kerala.
Follow-up Actions:
The Police Commissioner and Inspector General have issued statements and assured prompt action. Both the Human Rights Commission and the Police Complaints Authority have initiated investigations. The courageous voice of people like Bindu is what upholds the credibility of our society.
