Thiruvananthapuram: DySP pushes' man to death

Thiruvananthapuram: A 32-year-old man was killed allegedly following an altercation with Neyyattinkara DySP B. Harikumar on Monday night.

Tension prevailed at Neyyattinkara with local people blocking the national highway for hours with the body of the deceased demanding the arrest of the DySP, who was absconding.

They withdrew their protest after revenue officials assured them stern action. 

A 12-hour hartal was also observed at Neyyattinkara on Tuesday in this connection.

Sanal Kumar, a native of Kodangavila near Neyyattinkara, died after the DySP allegedly pushed him onto the road, and a car hit him following a verbal duel over parking of a vehicle.

Mr Kumar, who was an electrician, leaves wife Viji and two sons - Alvin, 4, and Abin, 2.

A murder case was registered against the DySP. Nedumangad assistant superintendent of police Sujith Das is probing the case.

According to sources, the quarrel was over Mr Kumar parking his two-wheeler in front of the officer's car. 

Mr Harikumar came to the house of one Binu, a local businessman and contractor, at Kodangavila in the evening. By around 10.30 p.m. as he went out, he found the two-wheeler parked in front of his car.

Mr Harikumar asked Sanal in a rough manner to remove the two-wheeler. This led to a verbal duel. 

He allegedly pushed the victim, and as he fell on the road, a car rammed into him. 

Mr Harikumar even refused to take him to hospital. Instead, he called the Neyyattinkara sub-inspector and asked him to take the two-wheeler into custody. 

He also left the scene immediately, local people said.

Mr Kumar was initially taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to the government medical college hospital here.

It was learnt that the special branch police had earlier given adverse reports against Mr Harikumar, especially about allegations of bribe and unholy nexuses. 

His frequent visits to the house had also often triggered allegations. But he allegedly enjoyed political backing, said sources.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that stern action would be taken against the police officer.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded that the government should also give a job to the victim's widow and adequate compensations to the family.