Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition UDF launched a full blooded attack on the ruling front accusing it of shielding the cops including senior police officers responsible for the custodial death of Rajkumar in Idukki district.
Congress MLA V.D. Satheeshan who moved the adjournment motion accused the police of derailing the probe to save top officers. There is a conspiracy to weaken the case. The MLA alleged that power minister M.M. Mani was interfering in the matter and trying to portray the victim as a wrong doer.
Considering the high frequency of police torture case in the state the health minister should consider starting a separate department for torture medicine in all taluk hospitals, he said in a lighter vein.
The MLA said that the Chief Minister’s statement on the floor of the house was actually a confession statement. There is a deliberate attempt to show that Rajkumar was assaulted by the local people before he was taken into custody.
He said Rajkumar along with his two women colleagues were picked up by police on June 12. While the two women were produced in the court and remanded, the financier was kept in illegal custody. It was only on June 16 that he was produced before Magistrate residence and sent to jail.
If police version of assault by local people is to be believed then the question is why the cops didn’t register a case and took the assailants in custody on June 12 itself.
The cops were now trying to create false evidence to save their colleagues and the complaint given by a former panchayat member was part of the move.
Satheeshan alleged that the chitti money collected by Rajkumar used to be deposited in a cooperative bank which is headed by CPM Idukki district leader. Money was deposited and withdrawn daily from this bank and how come the CPM leader was not aware of the transaction.
During the illegal custody, Rajkumar was being forced to disclose where the money was kept. The Idukki SP had given specific direction that the financier should not be released till he revealed details about money.
“It was a treasure hunt carried out by the police,” he said adding that the police in Kerala were eying money in the pockets of the dead.
Satheeshan alleged that third degree torture was carried out against Rajkumar who had 14 injuries, 7 major contusions. He was deprived of food and water which led to severe dehydration.
He hit out at minister M.M. Mani for interfering with the probe. Mani is having Power portfolio. Has the Chief Minister entrusted him with the charge of police in Idukki ditrict, he asked .
The MLA alleged that Idukki SP was the foot soldier of the minister.
“The minister who made the 1,2,3 speech should add 4 as custodial torture death now,” he said.
Mani reacted sharply to Shatheeshan’s criticism. “Congress members are also involved in the cheating. It is unfortunate that he is raising false allegations against me,” he said.
