SHO transferred over masking, handcuffing of KSU leaders

Thrissur | The Station House Officer (SHO) of Wadakkanchery police station, who drew flak for producing three Kerala Students Union (KSU) leaders in court with their faces masked and hands cuffed, has been transferred as part of disciplinary action.

The action against SHO Shajahan UK followed a report submitted by the Thrissur City Police Commissioner to the State Police Chief, police sources said on Monday.

He has been shifted from Wadakkanchery police station to the Thiruvananthapuram Police Headquarters and directed to appear before the State Police Chief soon, a police official said.

The three KSU activists — Thrissur district vice president Ganesh Attur, district committee member Al Ameen, and Killi Mangalam Arts College unit president Aslam KK — were arrested and brought before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Friday afternoon with their heads covered and hands cuffed.

They had been arrested in connection with a clash with the Student Federation of India (SFI) activists in Wadakkanchery.

The court later instructed the Thrissur City Police Commissioner to issue a show-cause notice to Shajahan for his conduct.

The incident triggered protests by Congress and KSU workers in Thrissur, including a march to Shajahan's residence in Malappuram.

KSU leaders warned that the officer would not be allowed to continue in service.

Shajahan had earlier served as SHO at Kunnamkulam police station, where KSU activist V S Sujith was allegedly assaulted in custody by five police personnel in 2023.

The court will consider the bail petition of KSU activists on Monday, the police officer added.