Illegal detention of 2 Adivasi boys by Kerala police,<br> interim relief recommended

The Commission has recommended that the state government of Kerala pay a sum of Rs. 10,000/- each as immediate interim relief to the two adivasi boys, who were illegally detained by police.
A complaint was received from the Christian Cultural Forum, Kollam in Kerala alleging that police officials of Agali in Attappaddi in Palkkad district of Kerala had illegally arrested 2 boys, Manikandan aged 16 years and Parameswaran aged 17 years and an adivasi woman, Kupamma on 25th May 1997. The police the complaint alleged had kept them in illegal custody for 23 days and were released on 17th June 1997, only after activists of the Girijan Service Society agitated against the police action.
Taking cognizance, the Commission called for a report from the SP Palakkad, Kerala. In response a report dated 18th Dec. 1997 was received, stating that SP-CB/CID conducted an enquiry and it was found the police at Agali detained the boys illegally till 17th June 1997. The Commission was also informed that the Circle Inspector, ASI and two Constables who were involved in the incident have been suspended and a criminal cases instituted against them are pending before court.
The Commission considered the facts and circumstances of the case and it observed that pendency of criminal cases is no impediment to the award of immediate interim relief under the Protection of Human Rights Act. It went on to recommend payment of Rs. 10,000/- as immediate interim relief to each of the victims and asked the Government of Kerala to send a compliance report with 6 weeks.