Thiruvananthapuram, August 23 (BPNS)

In Kerala, a police officer exchanged words with a minister. And finally, the inevitable happened – he got transferred.

It all started with a phone call. The police officer, D Girilal, who happened to be the station house officer of Vattapara Police Station, received a phone call from GR Anil, who is the minister for food and civil supplies and represents the Nedumangadu constituency in the Assembly.

The call was in connection with a domestic violence complaint in the minister’s constituency.

The call, which was of 4.57-minute duration, started smoothly but ended on a sour note after the police officer said that he will act on the complaint based on what is ‘right’.

The minister who got offended by this remark scolded the officer which escalated into an exchange of words between the two.

The minister had called the officer to inquire about the status of a complaint filed by a woman against her second husband for injuring her child.

To this, the officer said, “I am just going to start the inquiry. Will have to check if the complaint is correct. Will do what’s right.”

Infuriated with this reply, the minister retorted that instead of saying that the officer should have said that that man will be caught before evening.

He further added that if anything happened to the complainant or her child due to inaction, the officer would be held responsible.

The officer then responded that if he acted, that is taking the man into custody, without ascertaining the facts there will be none including the minister to protect him if some issues arise.

The officer was also heard saying that he would ensure protection for the woman.

However, the minister said, “A woman is complaining against her second husband who harassed her and her child. Here you are saying that you will act upon what is right. Are you living in Kerala?.”

The phone conversation which somehow got leaked immediately became viral.

It is learned that the minister’s office raised this issue with the State Police Chief and the officer was transferred to Vigilance.

In the case of the complaint, it is alleged that the stepfather allegedly stamped on the feet of the 11-year old child, causing injury.

Based on the complaint, the man was taken into custody.