The Kerala High Court on Monday slammed a pink police officer who harassed a father and his minor daughter in Attingal on August 27.

The woman cop had harassed the duo alleging that they stole her phone, which she later found in her bag.

In connection with the incident, the Kerala High Court questioned the purpose of pink police – a wing of the Kerala police established for the safety of women and children in public places.

The court further slammed the officer pointing out that she did not stop her verbal attack even when the child started crying. The court asked the cop’s lawyer not to defend her actions and asked if it’s the child’s life or the officer’s phone that is more valuable.

“This is nothing but khaki ego and arrogance,” the court said.

FAMILY MOVES HC SEEKING COMPENSATION

The court was hearing a petition for compensation filed by the child and her father. The court also said that the visuals of the incident are distressing.

On August 27, Thonaikal resident Jayachandran, a rubber tapping worker, and his daughter had gone out to see a vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), passing through the road. A civil police officer, Rajitha, was present in the vicinity with the pink police vehicle parked there.

She accosted the father and child and started questioning them, downright accusing them of stealing her phone. The CPO raised her voice at the child too, demanding her phone.

Later, when someone dialled her number, her phone was found inside her bag. The officer left the scene without an apology. An onlooker shot a video of the incident that went viral.

The visuals were examined in the open court.

COP TRANSFERRED AFTER VIDEO WENT VIRAL

The police department was forced to take action against her and thus she was transferred to Kollam city police and she was also asked to attend a 15-day special training session as part of disciplinary action.

The family had filed a complaint with the Child Rights Commission. Last week, almost three months after the incident, the commission recommended strong action.

The commission directed the DGP to register a case under the Juvenile Justice Act. It also demanded that the police should be given awareness of the rights of children.

On November 18, the family moved the High Court, seeking compensation. They demanded strict action against the official. The petition claimed that the incident had caused the child serious distress.

The family alleged that the police and the government were trying to protect the guilty and sought compensation of Rs 50 lakh.