An NRI’s visit to Kerala turned into an unforgettable nightmare for him and his family. But, thanks to the Kerala High Court, he would be compensated for by the State government.

V.K. Thajudeen, a native of Thalassery, had come from Qatar on a 15-day-leave for his daughter’s wedding. While he was in a car, travelling with his family members, the police took him into custody, charging him falsely in a chain snatching case.

The arrest was made by the police on the pretext of the culprit captured in CCTV footage resembling Thajudeen. Thajudeen was imprisoned for 54 days in Kerala.

Thajudeen’s wife petitioned the Chief Minister’s Office. Police justified the arrest, saying the woman whose chain was stolen had identified Thajudeen as the culprit. But, investigation by the Kannur Deputy Superintendent of Police revealed that the chain was stolen by someone else, and proved Thajudeen innocent.

Though Thajudeen was set free and returned to Qatar, he lost his job there for reporting to work late after the expiry of his leave. He also had to face a jail sentence of 23 days in a prison in Qatar.

Thajudeen’s case in the Kerala High Court, which started in 2018, has come to a closure now with the court ordering the State government to pay a sum of ₹10 lakh as compensation to Thajudeen, ₹1 lakh to his wife, and ₹1 lakh each to his three children.

Justice P.M. Manoj termed Thajudeen’s arrest by the Chakkarakkal police in Kannur as “an irresponsible act”. The bench directed the government to not only pay the compensation to Thajudeen, but also recover the compensation amount from the then sub-inspector and two assistant sub-inspectors who carried out the arrest and humiliated him by taking him around, asking people to identify him. The court concluded that Thajudeen could approach civil courts for further action against the police. – editor@nrifocus.com