THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A medical board constituted by the medical college here has said that Sriram Venkataraman will continue to be under observation at the Multi Specialty ICU of Thiruvananthapuram medical college for next 72 hours.
The board said Sriram was under severe mental strain and required psychiatric help. There were no visible external injuries and scan would be conducted to check internal injuries.
It may be recalled that following allegations the officer was being given VIP treatment and five star facilities in the private hospital, he was produced before a magistrate on Sunday. And despite the court order to shift him to jail, on the basis of the directions of jail doctor he was taken to the medical college multi specialty ICU.
Though he was supposed to be kept in the cell meant for the prisoners, the officer was shifted to the ICU with all facilities.
Meanwhile, health minister K.K. Shylaja said no special status of preference would be given to the officer. The minister said she would look into the charges that Sriram was being given all facilities in custody.
Sriram deliberately delayed giving blood
Doubts are being expressed on whether the man slaughter charges slapped against Sriram Venkataraman would stand in view of the lab report which suggested that there was no presence of alcohol in his blood .
Sriram has been accused of delaying the process of blood sample collection citing various reasons. Right from the accident spot, he was taken to the general hospital. Despite doctors there recommending blood test, the officer did not yield.
Though the police who accompanied him could have used the powers vested with them to forcibly take the blood samples in the event of accused refusing to cooperate, they chose not take that step.
After Sriram complained of health issues, he was referred from general hospital to medical college.
However, instead of going to medical college the officer was allowed to get admitted to a private hospital with the consent of police. Even at the private hospital he declined to give blood sample saying that he had not taken breakfast.
It was only after protests started building up outside and news channels ran stories about his non cooperation, the officer agreed to give blood samples.
