On 3 April 2025, the Indigenous Rights Advocacy Centre (IRAC) filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding the custodial death of a 17-year-old tribal boy, P. Gokul, at the Kalpetta police station in Wayanad district, Kerala. The tragic incident took place on 1 April 2025, a day after he was taken into custody by the local police.
Gokul, a resident of Puthiya Paadi tribal settlement in Ambalavayal, belonged to the Paniya tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Kerala. On the evening of 31 March 2025, Gokul and a minor tribal girl were taken into custody after the girl’s family filed a missing person complaint. While the girl was sent to a government-run shelter home, Gokul was unlawfully detained overnight at the police station — in direct violation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which prohibits detaining minors in police lock-ups.
The police have claimed that Gokul was found hanging in the station’s toilet the following day, allegedly using his shirt. However, given the unlawful detention, the custodial setting, and the marginalised status of the victim, this incident raises serious concerns of human rights abuse and custodial violence.
Gokul had recently lost his father and was the sole breadwinner for his mother, Omana.
In light of these grave human rights violations, IRAC has called for immediate intervention by the NHRC. The key demands made in the complaint include:
- Directing the State Government of Kerala to order a judicial inquiry into the custodial death and submit an action taken report within four weeks.
- Taking stringent action against the police personnel responsible, if found guilty, and registering appropriate criminal cases.
- Providing interim compensation of at least Rs 20 lakhs to the next of kin of the deceased.
- Ensuring that all future cases involving tribal minors are handled in full compliance with child protection laws and human rights standards.
This case reflects a pattern of systemic neglect and abuse faced by Indigenous peoples in custodial settings.