Kerala government awards compensation to teacher for 2003 custodial torture

The Kerala government has sanctioned Rs 12.5 lakh in compensation to K K Surendran, a teacher who was subjected to illegal arrest and custodial torture during the 2003 Muthanga tribal land agitation in Wayanad.

Surendran, then a senior lecturer at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), was arrested after being falsely accused of providing weapons training to Adivasi protesters. The allegations stemmed from his phone number appearing in a movement leader's diary. During his 32-day detention, police brutality resulted in permanent hearing loss due to a ruptured eardrum.

The state Home Department has directed that the compensation amount be recovered from the personal assets of the two police officers held responsible for the misconduct. Following a 23-year legal battle, the decision provides redress for the loss of reputation and physical suffering endured by Surendran.