A year after a pregnant woman was allegedly slapped inside a police station in Ernakulam, Kerala, the accused police officer has been suspended following the release of CCTV footage of the incident. Inspector KG Prathap Chandra, who was the Station House Officer (SHO) at the Ernakulam North police station at the time of the incident in June 2024, is now facing disciplinary action. He was serving as the station house officer (SHO) at Aroor prior to his suspension.

The incident came to light after a prolonged legal battle by the victim, NJ Shaimol, and her husband, Benjo Baby. The CCTV footage, revealed following a Kerala High Court order, shows Prathap Chandra pushing Shaimol and then slapping her across the face. At the time, Shaimol was pregnant. A woman police officer is also seen in the visuals allegedly assaulting Shaimol.

The events leading up to the assault began when Benjo was taken into custody for allegedly disrupting police duty while filming a scuffle between police and a group of intoxicated men. Shaimol, carrying her twin toddlers, went to the police station, stating that she went there because police were assaulting her husband and she tried to stop them. Police claim Shaimol "created a ruckus". Shaimol told news channels that she questioned the inspector after he pushed her and asked her to stop the drama.

Benjo was remanded for obstructing police duty, and a case was also registered against Shaimol, alleging that she attacked the police station and harmed her children. Shaimol's family is demanding that a case be registered against Prathapa Chandran under sections including atrocities against women.

Despite the couple filing complaints with the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police (DGP), no action was initially taken against Prathap Chandra, as a Special Branch report gave him a clean chit. However, after the CCTV footage surfaced and triggered widespread controversy, Southern Range Inspector General Shyam Sunder directed the immediate suspension of K.G. Prathapachandran. The suspension order was issued by the office of the Inspector General of Police, South Zone, at the direction of the State Police Chief. Departmental action against K G Prathapa Chandran has begun.

Prathap Chandran, while defending his actions, claimed that Shaimol had turned violent and pulled him first and that he was unaware she was pregnant. He also claimed he intervened to prevent further disturbance, stating that the woman police officer present was unwell.

Shaimol and Benjo have stated that they will continue their legal battle until the officer is dismissed from service. Shaimol has also stated that she has received more CCTV footage of the incident and will move the court seeking action against the officer with the evidence available. Several complaints were filed against Prathapa Chandran earlier also, alleging that he had assaulted a Swiggy employee and a Congress leader, but no action was taken then.