Kerala HC questions cop action on Sriram case
The single bench also asked what were the normal procedures followed by the police when a person in an inebriated condition causes such accidents.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday asked what prevented Kerala Police from collecting the blood sample of IAS officer Sriram Venkita-raman within the stipulated time after the accident which killed a journalist at Thiruva-nanthapuram. The single bench also asked what were the normal procedures followed by the police when a person in an inebriated condition causes such accidents.
What is the point in conducting a blood examination which is supposed to be done in 15 minutes, after 10 hours? the court asked. It also asked if CCTV visuals were not availbale in the high security zone where VIPs including Governor are residing.
The court, however, refused to stay a magistrate court order granting bail to the suspended IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman. The court issued a notice to Venkitaraman on an appeal by the Kerala Government, seeking to cancel the bail granted to him by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Thiruvananthapuram. The case will be heard again on Friday.
The accident resulted in the death of Siraj scribe K M Basheer on August 3 night. The appeal by Narcotics Cell Assistant Commissioner on behalf of State Government said that the investigation is in the preliminary stage and the bail was granted without understanding facts and it would affect further investigation into the case. It was further alleged that 32-year-old Venkitaraman misled police and tried to destroy evidence of his alcohol consumption. He first told the police that the woman companion in the vehicle Wafa had driven the car. However, Wafa deposed beofre the magistrate that the car was driven by Sriram.
The magistrate court on Tuesday had granted bail to Venkitaraman, now being treated at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, after perusing his blood report samples, which was found negative for alcohol content and the case diary of police.
The State Attorney stated before the High Court that the blood sample could not be collected within the stipulated time as Sriram was also injured in the accident and he had to be treated for the injury. The doctor treated him at the General Hospital had reported smell of alcohol from him.