Thiruvananthapuram: ASI Gopakumar who was caught on camera abusing a man and his daughter who came to the Neyyar Dam police station to lodge a complaint, has been suspended from service.

The action was taken against the ASI on Saturday based on an inquiry report submitted by Thiruvananthapuram Range DIG K Sanjay Kumar Gurudin to State Police Chief Loknath Behera. ADGP Shaikh Darvesh Sahib ordered the suspension of the ASI.

In his report the DIG said; Gopakumar's action was an insult to the police department. His unruly behaviour had brought disrepute to the prestige of the police department. Not wearing the uniform while on duty was a major lapse. A departmental inquiry should be carried out against the police officer and he should be sent for a behavioural training course. Since the incident took place in the presence of senior police officials, their lapses also need to be probed.

The ASI, in his explanation, said that the complainant had provoked him by using abusive language and that led to the rude behaviour on his part. However, the DIG said the ASI's behaviour cannot be justified. The police official had unnecessarily intervened in a case with which he was not associated.

The incident happened in Neyyar Dam police station on Tuesday when Sudevan along with his daughter, came to lodge a complaint in connection with a family dispute. The video clip showing the ASI using abusive language against the duo had gone viral on social media resulting in public outrage.