Aluva (Rural) SP AV George Suspended

The state government on Friday suspended Aluva (rural) SP, AV George in connection with Varappuzha custodial death.

George was suspended two days after he was questioned by the SIT probing the custodial death of a 26-year-old Sreejith.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Sreejith was taken into custody by a task force formed illegally by A V George while he was Aluva (rural) SP. The state was witness to wide public outrage against the police department following the death of Sreejith allegedly following police torture while he was in custody.

Earlier, five policemen, including three members of armed reserve police, were arrested by the SIT.

Sreejith was taken into custody along with seven others on charges of abetment to suicide and rioting on April 6. Later, he was admitted to a nearby hospital by the police. However, on April 9, Sreejith succumbed to his injuries.

The medical team constituted to probe into the suspected custodial death confirmed that Sreejith was tortured by the police. Sreejith, who sustained injuries in his abdomen and small intestine, died due to internal infection and bleeding.

Later, it was revealed that Sreejith was arrested after he was mistaken for another Sreejith in the Varappuzha region.

This case has come as a blot on the performance of the state police amidst allegations that the local police tried to forge documents and presented fake witnesses to prove that deceased Sreejith was the actual accused.