Alleged assault by KWA staff: Human Rights Commission orders probe by KWA Chief Engineer

The State Human Rights Commission has ordered a probe by the Chief Engineer, Kerala Water Authority (KWA), on a complaint that a consumer was beaten up by KWA staff in Thiruvananthapuram.

Commission chairperson Alexander Thomas directed the Chief Engineer, KWA, to carry out a “proper enquiry” and file a report before the panel within two weeks. The Commission has suo motu filed a case in the incident, which reportedly took place near the cash counter of KWA’s Pongumoodu section office, based on media reports.

Earlier, Sanal Kumar, a resident of Puliyankode, Ayiroopara, had lodged a complaint with the Assistant Executive Engineer, KWA, saying that he had witnessed five KWA staff assaulting a middle-aged man who had sought clarifications regarding his water charge arrears.

Mr. Sanal Kumar also claimed that the fact of the matter can be ascertained by examining footage from the CCTV installed on the office premises. The Assistant Executive Engineer, in December 16 report to the Executive Engineer, Public Health Division (North), stated that the CCTV footage confirmed the incident. The Human Rights Commission has directed the Chief Engineer, KWA, to submit the Assistant Executive Engineer’s report to the Commission.

Further, the Commission also ordered that a senior officer not below the rank of an executive engineer, authorised by the Chief Engineer, should be present at the Commission’s sitting in Thiruvananthapuram on January 16, 2025.