Kochi police weigh anti-social law against bus worker with assault record

Kochi City police are considering invoking the Kerala Anti-social Activities (Prevention) Act against a private bus employee arrested for intimidating motorists and assaulting a police officer, citing his record of multiple offences in Kannur.

Muhammed Ansar, 24, a Kannur native, was arrested on Monday under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assaults or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty. The Ernakulam Town North police produced him before court and he was remanded.

Multiple complaints trigger review

"It has emerged that the accused has multiple cases, including for theft, against him in Kannur in addition to the two cases registered by us. We are verifying whether he presents a fit case for invoking KAAPA," city police sources said. Though he was initially nabbed on Saturday, he was released on station bail.

The arrest followed a video that went viral showing Ansar waylaying a family travelling in a car at Kaloor, nearly a month after the incident occurred. He allegedly attacked an assistant sub-inspector in plainclothes while the officer tried to take him into custody. At that stage, only Section 117(e) of the Kerala Police Act, which deals with obstructing or assaulting a police officer with the intention of preventing them from discharging any of their duties, was invoked.

Second victim alleges police inaction

After the Kaloor visual went viral, another person, Rejins Chelattu, came forward alleging that Ansar had threatened him two weeks after the first incident. Releasing images of the man blocking his car, Chelattu alleged that though he had filed a complaint with the police on August 22, no action was taken.

Following the allegation, the Thrikkakara police recorded his statement on Saturday night and registered a first information report on Sunday night. The accused was booked for wrongful restraint and uttering obscene words in the latest case.

Source: The Hindu