Turning point in Peechi police assault case; video of hotel staff manhandling complainants’ surface

THRISSUR: The CCTV footage of hotel staff manhandling complainants in Peechi police assault case, has surfaced. The video shows hotel staff assaulting Dinesh of Vandazhi in Palakkad and his nephew Jinesh. Hotel owner K P Ousep told media that Dinesh was detained until the police arrived. However, a video has now emerged that proves to be false.

CCTV footage of Peechi police assaulting the staff of Lalys Hotel in Pattikkad had emerged the other day. The incident happened on May 24, 2023. The hotel owner got the then CCTV footage of Peechi station after one and a half years of legal battle. A dispute with people who came to have biryani ended in the police station. Dinesh had informed the police that he was assaulted by the hotel staff. Following this, the officers led by the then SHO P M Ratheesh, assaulted manager Roni Johnny and driver Lithin Philip.

Ousep's son Paul Joseph, who came to know about the incident, was also assaulted by the SHO and was locked up. Also directed to settle the complaint. The complainant demanded Rs 5 lakh as a settlement. The complainant had informed Ousep that Rs 3 lakh of this was for the police. Ousep handed over Rs 5 lakh in front of the CCTV camera at home. Dinesh told media that the hotel staff had assaulted him and his nephew.