Kerala LoP Satheesan accuses police of acting indifferently on dowry harassment complaint

Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], May 14 : Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Tuesday came down heavily on the state police, saying that it acted indifferently on a complaint by a newlywed woman that she faced dowry harassment at her husband's house at Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode.
"In the Pantheerankavu dowry harassment case, the police behaved indifferently. The Circle Inspector ridiculed the girl's father who filed the complaint," Satheesan said.
"Kozhikode City Police Commissioner has assured that necessary steps will be taken in the case. The girl's father has also been informed about this," he added.
The Opposition leader said that it was unbelievable that the girl was assaulted and demanded more dowry within a week of her marriage. The girl was brutally beaten to such an extent that even her parents could not recognize her, he said.
"An enlightened state like Kerala had to bow its head under the weight of humiliation. No one can tolerate this. But what happened to the police? Are they with the victims or the predators?" he said.
"The police remain silent. Policemen's hands are tied. Even known criminals are protected. Kerala has changed to a state where people are afraid to go out. Although these matters were brought to the attention of the Chief Minister, no action was taken," he added.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged dowry harassment.
Minister for Women and Child Welfare Veena George said the Department Director had been asked to probe the allegation by the woman.
Kozhikode District Women's Protection Officer had spoken to the relatives of the woman and offered counselling support, the Minister said.
The Minister added that stern action would be taken to deter such inhuman acts and crimes against women.
The woman who accused her husband of physical abuse told reporters that the police had refused to charge him with an attempt to murder.