Anti-mafia activist seeks Rs 30,000 crore compensation from government

KOCHI: The

Kerala High Court

has sought the views of the state government on a petition seeking compensation of Rs 30,000 crore for alleged failure in providing protection to a man who took a stance against drug and illicit liquor mafia.

A petition filed by 58-year-old

Thomas

Philipose of

Santhipuram

in

Kottayam

is being considered by the court. He was president of an organization called ‘Santhipuram Paura Samithi’, which was formed to help people of the locality to make active public resistance to anti-social activities.

The attacks on the petitioner all began when he and others caught one member of a gang while stealing toddy in August 1994. The gang of youngsters, who are from rich families, intensified their mischief and also took revenge on the petitioner and tried to kill him many times, it is alleged.

Thomas was attacked many times by the gang but escaped narrowly. Pointing out the repeated attempts on his life and danger to his family, a petition was filed by Thomas before the superintendent of police of Kottayam for police protection, the petition said.

In addition to not providing any protection, the circle inspector of

Kaduthuruthy

turned against him under the influence of the rich gang and threatened to implicate him in false criminal cases, Thomas alleged.

In February 1995, two constables working under the circle inspector raided Thomas’ residence without any warrant. He was falsely implicated in a murder-attempt case and then removed from the array of accused later one. Thereafter, he was falsely implicated in another assault case but he was acquitted by the court.

Thomas then approached the high court and obtained an order for police protection but he is unable to avail the protection due to lack of money as his livelihood has been disrupted already. But the attacks by the gang are still continuing and the government is not able to protect him, stated the petition filed by Thomas as a party-in-person.