Palakkad: The midnight police search of rooms occupied by Congress women leaders in the politically charged Palakkad Assembly constituency has sparked controversy. The police team, including plainclothes officers, searched the rooms on suspicion of hidden black money. The Assistant Commissioner of Police Aswathy Jiji told the media that it was a routine inspection as part of election procedures.
Congress leaders Shanimol Usman and Bindu Krishna stated that their belongings, including clothes, were tossed out during the search. Usman's room was searched after she demanded the presence of a woman cop for the raid.
“This was a severe overreach by the police,” Usman told the media. “I have been in politics for over three decades, and this action questioned my dignity as a woman. After midnight, someone knocked on my door and began pushing at it. They rang the bell and demanded that I open up. Four male officers in uniform were there. I changed my clothes and came out. Since there were plainclothes officers, I asked to see their ID cards, but they refused. A female officer searched me, and all my belongings, including clothes, were taken out and inspected. They even searched the bathroom and under the bed. I asked for a written record of the search details, but I did not receive a clear response,” she said.
Bindu Krishna also stated that she felt greatly humiliated as a woman. “When I was asleep, I heard men shouting outside my room. I woke up to someone ringing the bell, and when I opened the door, police officers demanded to inspect the room. My husband and I were staying in the room. The police barged in, inspected four bags, and threw our clothes out. I asked them to check everything, and when they finished, I requested a written statement confirming they found nothing. This is a major conspiracy and a complete denial of justice,” she said.
The Congress party announced a protest march to the SP’s office at 11 am.
ASP Aswathy Jiji clarified that nothing was found in the search conducted in the hotel rooms occupied by Congress women leaders. "The police had the legal authority to search. Even if a woman is in the room, she can be asked to step out in urgent situations, and it is not mandatory for female officers to be part of every search team. The women leaders initially expressed reluctance to the inspection, so the search was conducted after a female officer arrived," the ASP said.
"There were no obstructions to the search, and a list of inspected items was provided. In total, 12 rooms in the hotel were inspected, including those of leaders from various parties. The CCTV footage from the hotel will be reviewed if any complaints are received," she added.