A sub-inspector stationed at the Peroorkada police station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, was suspended on Monday, May 19, following a Dalit woman accusing him of illegally detaining, harassing and denial of basic rights after she was wrongly held for stealing a gold chain by her employers.

The 39-year-old woman, Bindu R, who is a domestic helper, said she was held for nearly 20 hours without food, rest, or access to her family. She was questioned until 3 am, and her husband was not allowed to meet her.

Her employers accused Bindu of stealing a 2.5 sovereign gold chain. However, the jewellery was later found in the house, and Bindu insists she was not informed.

She filed complaints with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the SC/ST Commission, and the Kerala State Police Complaints Authority, accusing the sub-inspector, Prasad, of humiliating and mistreating her in custody.

“The police said there was a complaint against me. At the station, the house owner and her daughter, whom I had worked with before, were already present. They accused me outright of stealing the gold chain,” her complaint read.

It is learnt that the family withdrew their complaint against the Dalit woman and claimed they were “forgiving” her because she had two daughters.