Youth in Varappuzha die during police custody

KOCHI: Kerala Police looks like having had it once again. Sreejith, an accused in the case of the suicide by hanging of Kulambukandam Veettil Vasudevan, following attack on his house in Varappuzha, died on Monday at a hospital during police custody.

Sreejith was taken into custody on Friday night and was admitted to hospital on Saturday due to injuries allegedly due to torture by the police. The death happened after an emergency surgery conducted when he went into a serious condition.

Sreejith was accused number 10 in the suicide case of Vasudevan. He was taken to custody by policemen in plainclothes. When they arrived, his wife and mother asked who they were and were told they were policemen. When both relatives came out to see what was happening, they could see the police beating Sreejith on the road. When the two shouted, the police put him in a jeep and left. Later they took him to Varappuzha prison directly, after he was produced before the magistrate to put him in remand along with others accused. However, because it was too late, remand was refused, and the police took him to the prison.

Though Sreejith pleaded he had stomach pain, that was not taken seriously. About 2 am, when Sreejith sought help with unbearable pain, police took him to Kalamassery Medical College and after primary treatment there, was taken to General Hospital, Ernakulam. When his health deteriorated further, he was moved to Aster Medcity in Cheranalloor for expert treatment. He was found to have severe injuries in internal organs including small intestine and was operated upon on emergency basis.

Allegations havee been raised that the police failed to follow the procedures required while taking a person into custody. Human rights bodies including the official Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) have found there were lapses on the police side, as the officers failed to produce Sreejith before the Magistrate Court after having taken him into custody.

“Police officers have neither recorded the arrest of Sreejith nor issued the arrest memo. Besides, the relatives of the person taken into custody were not informed. The preliminary inquiry suggested the police failed to produce the person before a Magistrate,” said KSHRC acting chairperson P Mohanadas. Those who brought Sreejith to the hospital were identified as police officers despite their being in plain clothes.

The Commission chairperson visited Sreejith at the private hospital on Monday. The KSHRC has directed an inquiry be conducted by an officer in the rank of SP and a report submitted in this regard. The Commission also directed the Varapuzha SI to appear before it in its sitting at Aluva on April 23. As per the Supreme Court guidelines, the person arrested, detained or being interrogated has a right to have a relative, friend or well-wisher informed as soon as practicable of the arrest and the place of detention or custody. The person arrested should be apprised of his right to have someone informed of the arrest, as soon as the arrest or detention is made. However, these have been flouted in Sreejith’s case.

An inquest will be made on Tuesday after which the body will be handed over to the relatives. Sreejith is survived by wife Akhila and 3-year old Aryananda.

Stete police chief Loknath Behra has directed Ernakulam range IG Vvijay Sakare to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the death.

Meanwhile, a hartal called by the BJP in Paravoor constituency on Tuesday, turned violent. Reports say that a youth taking a child being to hospital for treatment was attacked. Bus service in the area has also been affected. The Congress party also conducted a protest march which was stopped at the police station.