What Is Blue Corner Notice? Kerala Man Gets Notice For Assaulting New Bride

A recent incident in Kerala has once again brought the ongoing struggle to combat dowry harassment to the forefront. Just a week after their marriage, a newly-wed woman was allegedly subjected to a brutal assault and attempted murder by her husband. Reports have surfaced accusing the Kerala Police of initially neglecting the severity of the case. However, following public outcry, the state police have intensified their efforts to apprehend the accused individual.

The accused, identified as Rahul P Gopal, is believed to have fled to Germany where he is employed. The allegations of assault against his wife in the Kozhikode district have prompted a thorough investigation against him. On Thursday, a senior police officer from the Kozhikode police department confirmed that Kerala Police, through the Ministry of External Affairs, has formally requested Interpol for assistance. Subsequently, Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice against the suspected individual on May 16th, marking a significant step towards international cooperation in arrested the accused.

What Is Blue Corner Notice? 

The international police cooperation body called Interpol, after issuing a Blue Corner Notice against an accused, collects additional information from its partner countries about a person's identity. It is a global alert to collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities related to a crime. This notice can be crucial for the lookout of the accused man.

Interpol, the international police cooperation body, recently issued a Blue Corner Notice against an accused individual. This notice serves as a global alert to gather additional information about the person's identity, whereabouts, or involvement in criminal activities. It's a crucial tool in tracking down suspects.

The case gained widespread attention when the alleged  survivor and her family spoke out against the accused on various television channels on May 14th. According to them, the accused, named Gopal, brutally assaulted his wife and attempted to kill her following a dispute over dowry, just a week after their wedding.

In response, the accused's family denied any  involvement in dowry demands. The accused's mother stated that their daughter-in-law refused to live with them, which led to arguments between the newlyweds. She claimed, "We never asked for dowry, as we don't believe in it."

The alleged survivor claims that despite her complaint detailing her husband's attempt to strangle her with a mobile charger cable, the Pantheerankavu police did not register the case as attempted murder. Additionally, her family accuses the police of trying to "settle the matter" instead of pursuing justice.

In addition to the state police, both the Kerala Women's Commission (KWC) and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) have stepped in to investigate the matter. The KWC has particularly criticized the state police for what they see as a lack of seriousness in addressing the issue when it was first reported.

The next steps regarding the Blue Corner Notice hinge on whether German authorities are able to locate Rahul within their jurisdiction. Should they find him, it is probable that extradition proceedings will be initiated to return him to India to stand trial.