Needed unbase policing

#Needed.unbiased policing.

Sir,

Former State Police Chief T.P. Senkumar’s criticism strikes at the core of what an impartial criminal investigation must be. His contention that actor Dileep was arraigned without proper or admissible evidence, based on what he saw during his brief return as State Police Chief, highlights serious concerns about the “arrest-first-find-evidence-later” approach. 

When a former DGP states that investigators worked with a predisposed condition rather than an open mind, it reflects the danger of letting public pressure, political noise, or emotional  colour to a criminal probe. Senkumar’s warning that no investigation team should ever fabricate evidence is a reminder that rule of law collapses the moment investigators begin shaping facts to suit predetermined conclusions. The recent verdict naturally invites scrutiny of earlier assumptions, and his remarks have become all the more relevant today.

Equally significant is how parts of the media conducted themselves over the last eight years. Kerala’s news channels repeatedly aired speculative, sensationalised stories in the name of supporting the survivor, but often ended up fishing in troubled waters. The channels amplifying unverified theories and prejudging the accused. The present verdict is undeniably a setback to that style of trial-by-media, and their current reactions reflect that discomfort. It's fun to watch the media cry now.

Emotional responses, like the comment by MLA Uma Thomas invoking her late husband’s “unsatisfied soul,” have no place in judicial processes. The courts work on evidence, and not on metaphysics. Moreover, the selective outrage over issues such as publication of the survivor’s image is glaring. The legal yardstick used against Rahul Easwar should logically apply to others who violated the same law. 

Senkumar’s views, read in this broader context, underline the urgent need for unbiased policing and responsible journalism, free from prejudice, theatrics, and double standards.

K A Solaman

The police must intervene

#The #Police Must Intervene

A report on a Malayalam television channel shows people fighting in the street and states that the police are not intervening due to the lack of a formal complaint. This approach is unacceptable.

When people are fighting in public and disturbing public order, the police cannot remain mere spectators.  According to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), fighting in public is considered a breach of public order, an offense punishable by law. 

These laws authorize and obligate the police and the magistrate to intervene immediately, disperse the crowd, stop the fight, and take action against the troublemakers. The police do not need a written complaint to act; they can intervene on their own initiative as soon as public peace is threatened.

As soon as public peace is threatened, even by a simple altercation between two people, the police have a legal obligation to intervene without delay. It is essential that these provisions be strictly enforced to maintain public order and prevent citizens from being forced to witness scenes of chaos in the streets.

- K A Solaman

SIR effective

#SIR #effective

The recent reports from the Bengal border show how the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) helps keep the voters’ list clean and accurate. When verification becomes strict, people without proper documents hesitate to remain on the rolls. 

This protects the rights of genuine citizens and ensures that elections are conducted fairly. The return of undocumented migrants across the border clearly shows that SIR is an effective tool to prevent misuse of our democratic system.

Opposition from groups like the INDI Front often arises because strict verification exposes long-standing irregularities in the electoral rolls. Some parties fear losing vote banks built on doubtful entries, so they question the SIR process. But SIR is essential for maintaining trust in elections. It gives confidence to ordinary voters that only eligible citizens will decide the future of the country. 

A clean and transparent voter list is the foundation of a healthy democracy, and SIR plays a key role in achieving that.

-K A Solaman

Pregnancy stories

#Pregnancy #Stories.

In Kerala, television channels often turn personal matters like pregnancies and private relationships into sensational news. These stories are repeatedly shown only to increase viewership and create political drama. 

Such reporting has no social value and only spreads confusion, gossip, and disrespect for personal dignity. Turning private issues into public entertainment lowers the quality of journalism and diverts attention from real problems faced by the people.

Children and young viewers waste their study time watching these unnecessary stories because channels highlight them as if they were major events. This trend must end. Strict rules should be introduced to prevent news channels from airing exaggerated and vulgar “pregnancy stories” for political gain. 

Media should focus on development, governance, and facts. And not on incidents that belong in private life. Responsible reporting is needed to protect society and maintain healthy public discussion.

-K A Solaman

Misuse of litigation

#Misuse of litigation

The State of Kerala has developed an unhealthy habit of rushing to the Supreme Court for every administrative or political inconvenience. This turns the highest court of the country into a forum for settling partisan disputes.

 Instead of strengthening its own institutions, improving governance, or resolving issues through proper administrative mechanisms, the state repeatedly chooses litigation as its first response. This pattern has not only earned frequent criticism from the Court but has also exposed the government’s tendency to politicise routine administrative processes. The repeated failures and reprimands received in the Supreme Court clearly show that these appeals are not based on genuine constitutional concerns but are driven by narrow political motives.

This needless legal adventurism has come at a heavy cost to the public. Huge amounts of money are siphoned from the State Exchequer for court fees, travel, and the engagement of senior counsels  Yet the outcomes consistently embarrass the state, as most petitions end in dismissal or stern rebuke. Instead of introspection, the government continues to waste public resources on legally unsustainable and politically motivated petitions. 

At a time when Kerala faces financial shortages in essential sectors, diverting funds to fight pointless legal battles is irresponsible and unacceptable. The Supreme Court’s repeated criticism should have served as a warning, but the state’s persistent misuse of litigation shows a complete disregard for public welfare and administrative accountability.

-K A Solaman

Suspend BLOS opposing SIR

#Suspend BLOs opposing SIR

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an important exercise to ensure that only genuine voters remain on the electoral rolls. It helps remove mistakes, add eligible citizens, and prevent fraud in the next election. 

When SIR is done properly, the voters’ list becomes clean and fair, which strengthens our democracy. Every responsible official should support this process because it protects the rights of honest voters and ensures a transparent election system.

It is unfortunate that a few employees oppose SIR and try to avoid their duties by creating unnecessary drama. Such behaviour sets a very bad example in public service. Government employees are paid to serve the people, not to engage in petty politics or neglect their responsibilities. 

Those who deliberately block or refuse essential work like SIR harm the entire society. Strict action should be taken against such officials so that the work continues smoothly and without disruption.

-K A Solaman

Violence in Nigeria

#Violence in Nigeria

The recent attack on the Christian-run school in Nigeria, where nearly 300 students were abducted, is a shocking reminder of how brutally innocent lives continue to be targeted by extremist groups. 

Such acts of terror against children and peaceful communities deserve the strongest possible condemnation. These radical Islamist groups exploit weak security systems and fragile social conditions to unleash violence on vulnerable Christian populations, turning places of learning and worship into sites of fear. No ideology, no grievance, and no distorted interpretation of religion can ever justify the kidnapping, torture, or killing of civilians.

It is equally disturbing that these repeated atrocities against Christians in Nigeria rarely receive the sustained global attention they deserve, including in India. While both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence in Nigeria, the disproportionate suffering faced by Christian communities is a harsh reality that must be acknowledged. Silence or selective outrage only emboldens violent groups and deepens the wounds of those affected. 

The international community, including India, must speak out more strongly against these Islamist attacks, demand accountability, and support efforts to protect all Nigerian civilians who are continually targeted simply because of their faith.

-K A Solaman