Hyderabad: City police is very unlikely to book an abetment to suicide case even though the family members of Lance Naik Appalaraju have alleged torture by police and army.
Police officials said it was necessary to question Appalaraju along with many other Army men in connection with the case.
The cops have denied allegations of “torturing” him and revealed that he was only asked basic questions during the inquiry. Sources said that a day before Appalaraju ended his life, he had to attend the military court of inquiry on this issue.
“Following the suicide, Humayunnagar police has booked a case under CrPc 174, which allows police to inquire and report on the suicide. We are also probing into the allegations of his family members,” said West Zone DCP Mr A. Venkateswara Rao.
Sources from the police department said that the investigation officer cannot be blamed for Appalaraju’s death since they were doing their duty while probing a murder. They ruled out chances of using any kind of third degree on Appalraju to question him since he was in the Army.
Appalaraju’s wife and other family members had said that he was braveheart with 15 years of service, but the frequent grilling by Army and police had put him in distress. They have also demanded a thorough probe into the death. “We are not backing off without getting justice. He served the nation for a long time, and the government cannot ignore his death,” said his brother Satyanarayana.
Meanwhile, the Spe-cial Investigation Team constituted by the city police has hit a roadblock with the team leader being transferred from Hyderabad to Khammam.
Mr Shahnawaz Qasmi, who was east zone DCP, was leading the team, but in the recent reshuffle he was replaced.
Higher officials said that a new officer will head the team. “A new officer will be given charge. We are yet to decide who the officer is,” said Hyderabad police commissioner Mr M. Mahender Reddy.
