THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major decision, the government on Monday ordered a judicial probe into the alleged custodial death of Siby, a 40 -year-old Dalit, at Marangattupally. Admitting to major lapses from the part of the police in the incident, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the Assembly that a decision was taken to order a judicial probe into the incident and said that the family of the victim will be provided with financial aid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Responding to LDF’s notice for an adjournment motion over the alleged custodial torture in Kottayam, Chennithala said as per the procedures and the guidelines by the NHRC, the police should have taken Siby for medical examination when he was taken into custody. Stating that he does not want to politicise the issue, Chennithala said the government will not protect the guilty.
“The government views the incident very seriously. We have given clear instructions that there should be special consideration towards SC/ST people coming to the police station. A circular was also issued in this regard,” Chennithala said. He, however, denied the Opposition charges of lock-up torture and informed the Assembly that cases were registered against both people involved in the scuffle.
Earlier, Siby’s relatives had alleged that Siby was tortured in police custody after he was taken into custody by the Marangattupally police.