Kochi: Close on the heels of the Police Complaints Authority directing the suspension of an accused Sub Inspector in the Cheranellore custodial torture incident, the Kochi City Police Commissioner on Wednesday sought a report from the Medical Board, claiming that the victim Leeba Ratheesh had suffered the backbone injury earlier.
“We’ve applied for the medical report and hope it will be delivered at the earliest. It is to prove that the charges made by the victim are false and that she had suffered the injury earlier. It will be submitted for the consideration of the Ernakulam Range IG M.R.Ajithkumar, IPS, who would file a report on the incident to the PCA in two weeks,” said K.G.James, City Police Commissioner.
Police sources claimed that Leeba (29) had suffered a back injury while lifting a sack and had sought treatment at Lourdes Hospital in 2005.
The PCA on Tuesday recommended the suspension of the Sub-Inspector accused of torturing the housemaid in custody for two days on the suspicion that she had stolen gold ornaments from the doctor’s house where she had been working. However, the police failed to recover any gold from her and she was admitted to the General Hospital soon after obtaining bail from a local court. The locals have been protesting since then seeking stringent action against the cops.
In his report on the Cheranellore custodial torture, PCA Chairman Justice K.Narayana Kurup said the current action (transfer) against SI Samson was “inadequate” and recommended strict action including suspension. It also entrusted the Ernakulam Range Inspector General to conduct a detailed probe into the incident and file a report in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala would step in to see the victim on Thursday, Hibi Eden MLA, said in a statement.
The General Hospital authorities said they have received the request from the City Police Commissioner. “A three-member Medical Board will be constituted soon after consulting the DMO,” said an official.
