Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tells Assembly its a violation of human rights

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday that the government would put an end to the practice of deploying junior level officials for the personal service of seniors in the police force.

Replying to a submission moved by K. Sabarinathan in the Assembly, highlighting the alleged assault on a police driver by the daughter of an Additional Director General of Police the other day, he said the government would not permit human rights violation in the name of discipline.

“Maintaining discipline is a priority in the police force, but that cannot be an excuse for human rights violations.”

The Chief Minister asserted that steps had been initiated to dismantle the ‘orderly’ system in the police for good. A case had been registered against the daughter of the ADGP on a complaint filed by driver Gavaskar. “Another case has been filed on a complaint by the woman. Mr. Gavaskar’s family had approached me with a memorandum and I have assured them that justice will be done,” he said.

ADGP removed from post

Mr. Vijayan told the House that the Battalion ADGP had been removed from his post. “A team headed by the Crime Branch ADGP is investigating both the cases,” he said.

Terming the orderly system in the police force a vestige of the British Raj, the Chief Minister said it represented a degenerate culture and an undesirable trend. A directive had been issued to examine whether constables on official duty were being engaged by senior officials for domestic and personal services. The practice would be completely stopped, he assured the House.

The government would protect and respect the human rights of all employees, including constables. Stern action would be taken against any official violating the directions issued by the government and police chief on utilising junior employees for personal services.

Earlier, moving the submission, Mr. Sabarinathan said the woman had hit Gavaskar with her mobile under his eye and on his neck. “It took 10 hours for the police to record a statement from Gavaskar while the woman’s statement was recorded without delay,” he said.