SIT begins inquiry into Kerala custodial death

KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team probing the alleged custodial torture of Sreejith in Varapuzha has begun their inquiry on Wednesday. According to the officers, they have collected the FIR lodged in all three cases connected to the episode. The SIT will investigate the attack on Vasudevan’s residence and his suicide, besides the alleged custodial torture of Sreejith, leading to his death.

Officers said a team led by the Investigation Officer DySP George Cherian on Wednesday visited the Varappuzha police station and held discussions with the officers. Later, they also visited the residence of the deceased and collected the statement of his relatives.

IG (Crimes) S Sreejith,  who heads the probe team is slated to visit Sreejith’s kin on Thursday.
Meanwhile, refuting the allegations that Sreejith was arrested mistaking identity, the Ernakulam Rural SP A V George said the police nabbed the real accused in connection with the house attack of Vasudevan of Devaswompadam, Varapuzha.

“It is not a case of mistaken identity. No flaw happened from the side of the police in the arrests. All those involved in the house attack were the arrested,” George said on Wednesday.
He added he could not divulge more as the death of Sreejith is now being probed by a special investigation team.

When asked about the contrary statements of K V Vineesh, son of the deceased Vasudevan, the SP said Vineesh had given a statement Sreejith was among the 14-member gang that barged into their house. “The team is conducting a probe whether Vineesh had retracted his statements. If the probe finds any flaws happened from the side of the police, action would be initiated,” the SP added.
Meanwhile, the original complaint filed by Vineesh with the Varapuzha police on Friday depicted the complainant never mentioned the name of S R Sreejith.

As per the original complaint filed on April 6, Vineesh had mentioned only the names of Vipin, Vinchu, Thulasidas, Vinu, Ajith and Sarath and “eight others who could be identified”. In the original complaint, Vineesh also said he saw Vipin kicking his father. However, the police officers refuted media reports citing Vineesh and said they arrested Sreejith while acting on a detailed statement of Vineesh.

Plea seeking inquiry against SI, others

Kochi: A petition was submitted before the North Paravoor Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Wednesday seeking to register a case against Varapuzha SI G S Deepak and other police officers who are responsible for the death of Sreejith, who is allegedly a victim of custodial torture. P D Joseph, of Thrissur, who lodged the complaint, sought a court-monitored inquiry. The court will consider the case on April 17.