Allegations of beating by KWA staff: KWA chief engineer ordered probe by Human Rights Commission

The State Human Rights Commission has ordered an inquiry into the chief engineer of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) into a complaint that a consumer was beaten up by a KWA employee in Thiruvananthapuram.

Commission chairman Alexander Thomas directed the chief engineer of KWA to conduct a “due inquiry” and submit a report to the panel within two weeks. Based on media reports, the commission has itself filed a case in the incident which took place near the cash counter of Pongumudu branch office of KWA.

Earlier, Sanal Kumar of Puliankode, Airopara lodged a complaint with the KWA Assistant Executive Engineer and said he saw a middle-aged man being beaten up by five KWA employees who sought an explanation about his water bill arrears.

Sanal Kumar claimed that the truth of the incident can be ascertained by looking at the CCTV footage installed in the office premises. The Assistant Executive Engineer reported to the Executive Engineer, Public Health Division (North) on December 16, CCTV footage confirmed the incident. The Human Rights Commission has directed the Chief Engineer KWA to submit the report of the Assistant Executive Engineer to the Commission.

Further, the Commission also ordered the presence of senior officer below the level of Executive Engineer authorized by the Chief Engineer in the meeting of the Commission at Thiruvananthapuram on January 16, 2025.