Kollam resident Aji was forcibly taken from his home at midnight over a settled rent dispute, prompting widespread condemnation
Thiruvananthapuram: The incident involving police forcibly removing a man from his home at midnight on Thursday in connection with a case that had already been settled, has ignited widespread outrage in Kerala.
Aji, a resident of Pallimon in Kollam district, was asleep when policemen, some of whom were in plain clothes, jumped over the compound wall and entered his house. They took him away in front of his wife and children, who begged, cried and pleaded for him to be released, but their efforts went in vain .
The case for which the police came in search of him was related to a rent dispute between Aji and another party, which had reached the court. However, both parties reached a compromise in January .
Aji mentioned that he was not even allowed to change his clothes during the incident. He has filed a complaint with the Director General of Police. However, the Chathanoor police stated that they were not aware of the case settlement.
Aji stated that he is willing to go to any lengths to seek justice. "Such atrocities by the police should not be allowed to happen. No other family should have to endure what we went through in the middle of the night," he said.
He was taken into custody at midnight and was released on bail by the police around 3 a.m.
"Five police officers, led by SHO Anoop, arrived at my house and jumped over the compound wall. They asked me to open the door, then barged into the room, shouting and screaming. They pushed and shoved me, nearly dragging me to the jeep," he recollected his ordeal.
