Kerala Speaker AN Shamseer Defends Low Custodial Torture Cases, Slams Governor Over Bill Delays
In a recent chat with in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer made it clear that Kerala stands out for its low rates of third-degree methods and custodial torture compared to other Indian states. He was responding to the shocking 2023 incident where Youth Congress leader Sujith V faced alleged police brutality at Kunnamkulam Police Station in Thrissur.
"Compared to other states, third-degree and custodial torture are very low here," Shamseer said. "In a sensible society, no one supports police atrocities. The police force has all kinds of people, but when they break the law, the government steps in and acts. We can’t tolerate this at all. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan won’t let such things happen in Kerala."
For context, Sujith V reportedly endured custodial violence on April 5, 2023, after he challenged police officers for harassing his friends near a roadside in Kunnamkulam. This case sparked widespread outrage and highlighted concerns over police conduct in Kerala.
Shifting gears, Shamseer didn’t hold back on his criticism of the Kerala Governor. He called out the delays in giving assent to state government bills, saying it harms democracy. "Kerala runs Assembly sessions for about 50 days a year – that’s a model for other states. We’re passing bills to help people, but the Governor isn’t approving them. This isn’t right for a healthy democracy," he added.
The buzz right now is around the 14th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, kicking off today, September 15, and running until October 10. Shamseer explained it’s all about lawmaking, spread over three phases: September 15-19, September 29-30, and October 6-10, totaling 12 working days. Two days are reserved for private member bills.
Since the 15th Kerala Assembly started in 2021, they’ve already passed 137 bills in four years. During a press conference, Shamseer listed key legislations on the agenda, including the Kerala General Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Kerala Societies Registration Bill, 2025; Kerala Guruvayur Devaswom (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and Kerala Coir Workers Welfare Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
They’ll also tackle the Kerala Public Records Bill, 2023, which went to a Select Committee after its July 11, 2024 introduction. Plus, the Assembly will convert the Kerala Public Service Commission (Additional Functions in respect of Services under Universities) Amendment Ordinance, 2025, into a full bill.
As Kerala pushes forward with these reforms, eyes are on how the session unfolds amid ongoing debates on governance and police accountability. Stay tuned for updates on Kerala Assembly news and custodial torture cases.
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