Kochi: Idukki Magistrate at fault
The accused was visited by the magistrate outside the gate of his house in the vehicle in which he was brought.
Kochi: The Thodupuzha Chief Judicial Magistrate has submitted a report to the Kerala High Court stating that the Idukki Magistrate did not noti-ce the fact Rajkumar who was subjected to custody torture by police in Nedungandam was presented before him for being remanded, after 24 hours of his arrest. The report also said that there was no ground for explanation for this.
Rajkumar had died on June 21 after being taken into custody for financial embezzlement. Rajkumar who was arrested on June 15 at 9.30 pm was produced before the magistrate for being remanded at 10.40 pm next day. Idukki magistrate had made it clear that the arrested gave a verbal deposition that police did not torture him and he was then remanded to Peerumedu jail till June 28.
The accused was visited by the magistrate outside the gate of his house in the vehicle in which he was brought. There is no explanation why he went outside to visit the accused when there was provision to take the vehicle inside the compound. It is difficult to believe that the identification marks of the accused could be idetified while seated inside the vehicle.
Meanwhile the High Court Vigilance Registrar submitted a report to the High Court that there was no serious lapse on the part of Idukki Magistrate in remanding Rajkumar but he should have shown more alertness. The Vigilance Registrar also suggested that the High Court should give common directions to magistrates on remanding accused.