No CBI probe in Sreejith murder

Kochi: A division bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday upheld a single-judge order rejecting an appeal for CBI probe into the custodial killing of S. R. Sreejith at Varapuzha on April 9.

The court issued the order on his wife Akhila's appeal, saying the Kerala police arrested the accused officers and remanded. Hence it cannot be said that the investigation is partial. It is in the right direction, the court held.

It also said that all cases in which the police stood accused could not be referred to the CBI.

The petitioner pointed out that former Rural SP A. V George had not been made an accused. The government counsel said the investigation in the case was progressing and Mr George is currently under suspension.

The CBI took a stand in favour of the petitioner and said that a situation similar to the Udayakumar custody murder was prevailing here also.

However, the court said that at this point it was not in need of the opinion of the CBI.

The family of Sreejith and those who were arrested with him are the witnesses in the case. The fate of the case will be on the submissions made by them, it said.

The family members say they witnessed Sreejith being physically assaulted by the RTF personnel who took him into custody. Those who were arrested with Sreejith say that the sub-inspector had assaulted him. When this is the reality, there are no grounds for any apprehension that the evidence will be tampered with and the witnesses will be influenced, it held.

The court made it clear that just because the wife of the murdered sought a CBI inquiry, it can’t be allowed.

The petitioner also sought compensation. However, the court pointed out that the state government had granted '10 lakh to the family and gave a government job to his wife.

If they are not satisfied with that, they can approach the appropriate forum, it said.