KOCHI: The state government on Tuesday submitted before the Kerala High Court there was no scope for a CBI investigation in the Sreejith custodial death case.The probe team submitted as many as 11 police officers, including former Ernakulam rural police chief, were suspended and was proceeded against departmentally in connection with the custodial death of Sreejith of Varappuzha. Nine police officers have been arraigned in the case and three are still in judicial custody. The investigation is still continuing, the state informed.
According to the investigating officer, former Ernakulam rural police chief A V George was thoroughly questioned by the special investigation team (SIT). A special report was also sent against George for the lapses committed by him in the formation of Rural Tiger Force (RTF) and in justifying their actions wrongfully. He was later placed under suspension.
The police further submitted the RTF was unofficially formed on February 24, 2017, under the direct control of A V George, following the actor assault case. The RTF consisted of 20 police personnel and was divided into two squads - RTF 1 and RTF 2. While the functional areas of RTF-2 were Perumbavoor and Muvattupuzha police subdivision, RTF 1 was active in Aluva police subdivisions. The duties and responsibility of RTF were the prevention of highway robbery, dacoity, kidnapping and watching the movements of goons and other anti-social elements.
The statement said the petitioner could not point out any lapses in the present investigation. The statement was filed in response to a petition filed by Akhila, wife of Sreejith, seeking CBI probe in the case.
Probe team’s statement
The probe team submitted as many as 11 police officers, including former Ernakulam rural police chief, were suspended and was proceeded against departmentally in connection with the case
Nine police officers have been arraigned in the case and three are still in judicial custody
Former Ernakulam rural police chief A V George was thoroughly questioned by the special investigation team
The police further submitted the RTF was unofficially formed on February 24, 2017, under the direct control of A V George, following the actor assault case