Pink cop's humiliating act: HC calls Kerala's stand googly

One-liner: A spin or a googly is how Kerala HC on Monday termed the Left govt's stand that there was no record to show that a pink police officer had accused a father and daughter of stealing her phone or humiliated the child.

Govt stand: The state govt's latest stand came in response to the court's observation last week that the girl was entitled to a remedy under the public law and its query to the govt as to how much amount it would offer.

Crux of the matter: The court said neither the state nor the police should have taken such a stand when the woman police had admitted that she had restrained the father and daughter from leaving the scene till her phone was found.

• The court said that if the petitioner (the girl) is directed to place the video on record, the state would want to send it for forensic analysis 
• It, therefore, directed that the video was seen by the IGP be placed on record before the next date of hearing on Dec 22

Need to know: It was hearing a plea filed by the 8-year-old girl, seeking a direction to the govt to take stern action against the officer for infringing on her fundamental right.

Remedy sought: The petitioner has also sought Rs 50 lakh from the govt as compensation for the humiliating incident which occurred on Aug 27.

• The court on Dec 15 had said that the amount sought by the petitioner was exorbitant, but it was of the view that she has to be compensated under the public law remedy
• When an onlooker dialled the number of the officer, the mobile phone was found in the police vehicle, following which the police team left the scene without even tendering an apology to the father and the daughter

Disciplinary action: As part of disciplinary action, the woman officer was transferred and the State police chief directed her to undergo behavioural training.

Source: PTI