The opposition Congress party in Kerala has threatened to escalate protests across the state unless stringent action is taken against five policemen accused of brutally assaulting Youth Congress leader V S Sujith. The controversy, which erupted after CCTV footage from 2005 surfaced on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, showing Sujith being attacked inside Kunnamkulam police station in Thrissur, has ignited outrage and accusations of systemic police misconduct.

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, speaking in Koonammavu, Ernakulam, vowed that Congress would organize mass protests if the accused officers are not punished. “We will go to any extreme beyond what has been done so far. There is no compromise in this matter,” Satheesan declared, alleging that Sujith, an innocent man, was framed in a fabricated case accusing him of creating a nuisance under the influence of liquor. Medical tests later confirmed Sujith had not consumed alcohol, bolstering claims of police misconduct. Satheesan demanded the immediate dismissal of the officers, accusing them of having “criminal mentalities” and alleging interference from the CPI(M) district committee and a senior police officer.

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph, along with Chalakudy MP Benny Behnan and Congress leader T N Prathapan, visited Sujith at the Thrissur District Congress Committee office to express solidarity. Joseph echoed Satheesan’s call for the officers’ dismissal and insisted on registering a criminal case against them. “Sujith is not alone. The Congress and the people of Kerala stand with him,” he stated, accusing the Chief Minister and Home Department of protecting the accused.

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Sujith revealed that the accused officers allegedly offered him Rs 20 lakh to settle the case, which he refused. He noted that the damning CCTV footage was obtained only after a prolonged legal battle under the Right to Information Act, highlighting attempts to suppress the case. “Only minor offenses were charged, and these officials remain in service,” Sujith said, underscoring the lack of accountability.

The issue took a volatile turn in Malappuram, where Youth Congress workers marched to the residence of Sub Inspector Nuhman, one of the accused, who was absent and reportedly staying at police quarters in Thrissur. The protest turned violent when demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades, leading to a lathi charge that injured several activists. Satheesan criticized the Thrissur DIG’s claim that action had been taken, calling it a cover-up to protect the accused and alleging that the police are being controlled by a group in the Chief Minister’s office.

As public anger grows, the case has exposed deep-seated concerns about custodial violence and political interference in Kerala’s law enforcement. With Congress intensifying its campaign, the state government faces mounting pressure to deliver justice and address systemic issues within the police force.

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