Sign in Subscribe
Police departments

Kerala Police Under Scrutiny Over Handling of Sensitive Cases

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Kerala Police are facing growing criticism and institutional pressure over repeated lapses in handling sensitive cases, including those involving child protection, cyber-terrorism, and political violence. At the center of the controversy is police officer Abhilash David, whose service record has raised serious questions about internal accountability and disciplinary oversight within the force. David has been involved in multiple high-profile cases, including a sexual assault investigation and a cyber-terrorism probe, and has been accused of misconduct on several occasions. Concerns have been raised over the repeated lapses in POCSO-related cases and the potential compromise of critical digital evidence in cyber-terrorism investigations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Police officer Abhilash David has been accused of misconduct in multiple cases, including sexual assault and cyber-terrorism investigations.
  • David was dismissed by the City Police Commissioner in January 2023 for major dereliction of duty, but was later reinstated in active service.
  • The Kerala Police's disciplinary system has been criticized for allowing David's reinstatement, which experts say exposes deep flaws in internal accountability and oversight.
  • David's service record reflects systemic weaknesses in police discipline, with multiple allegations of misconduct and repeated lapses in POCSO-related cases.
  • Experts have called for an independent review of reinstatement orders, stricter referral of cyber-terrorism cases to the NIA, and tighter monitoring of officers who repeatedly violate POCSO protocols.
  • The controversy has sparked fresh concerns over transparency and record-keeping within the Kerala Police, with reports of no formal dismissal file against David despite multiple allegations of misconduct.

Statistics:

  • 3 officers, including Abhilash David, were dismissed by the City Police Commissioner in January 2023 for major dereliction of duty.
  • 1 FIR (FIR No. 2266/19) was registered against David in 2019 under Section 66F of the IT Act, 2000, potentially compromising critical digital evidence linked to national power grid systems.
  • 1 Congress MP, Shafi Parambil, accused David of physically assaulting him during a protest in October 2025.
  • 1 police RTI response reportedly revealed no formal dismissal file against David, triggering fresh concerns over transparency and record-keeping.

Sources:

  • "Kerala Police under mounting pressure over lapses in handling sensitive cases" by United News of India (UNI)
  • "Abhilash David: The Kerala police officer in 'habitual offender' row" by Express Web Desk (The Indian Express)

Read more