Varapuzha custodial death: CPM leaders conspired to arrest Sreejith, says mom

KOCHI: Shyamala, the mother of S.R. Sreejith who died allegedly due to custodial torture at Varapuzha, said that it was the conspiracy of the CPM leadership that led to the arrest of her son. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, she said Sreejith was added to the list of the accused in the house attack case, after a meeting held in the residence of CPM local leader Priya Bharathan.

Apart from Bharathan, other CPM local leaders such as Benny and Thomas also attended the meeting, she alleged. Benny is party area secretary and Thomas is a member of the CPM area committee. A high-level conspiracy was hatched to include Sreejith and his father in the house attack case, she said.

Priya Bharathan, however, refuted the allegations and said Ms Shyamala is being prompted by the RSS to level charges against CPM leaders. "We welcome a probe into the matter by any agency," Priya told reporters. She said a meeting was held at her residence to decide on the nature of protest against the attack on the residence of Vasudevan, she said, and added that it has nothing to do with police action.

Akhila, wife of Sreejith, meanwhile has demanded the arrest of former Aluva rural SP A.V. George in the case. Expressing relief over the suspension of Mr George, she said he should be arraigned as an accused in the case and arrested. A CBI probe is essential in the case so that higher-ups will not be able to getaway during the course of investigation, she added.