Thiruvananthapuram: The investigation into the death of a man at Neyyatinkara following an altercation with Neyyatinkara DySP B. Harikumar has been handed over to the Crime Branch.
Mr Harikumar is absconding, and the police had sent notices to airports, railway stations and police stations of neighbouring states.
State police chief Loknath Behera decided to hand over the case to the CB as recommended by Thiruvananthapuram rural district police chief Ashok Kumar citing chances of criticism against the local police probe, primarily since the accused was an officer.
Moreover, the family members of deceased Sanal Kumar also expressed displeasure over the probe and raised suspicion that they were trying to shield the police officer .
Mr Kumar's wife Viji told a section of media on Wednesday that the family strongly feared that the police would sabotage the investigation.
The police team led by Nedumangad assistant SP Sujith Das who was initially entrusted with the probe had carried out searches on many possible hideouts like houses of his friends and relatives since.
Efforts to track his mobile phone locations also went in vain.
Meanwhile, there were allegations that soon after the incident on Monday night Mr Harikumar approached some prominent CPM leaders seeking help.
He was suspected to have fled to Tamilnadu afterwards.
The special branch of the police had sent adverse reports against him on a couple of occasions, including recently, following allegations of accepting bribes.
But no action was taken against him allegedly owing to his political clout.
Thirty-two-year-old Kumar was pushed onto the road by Mr Harikumar following an altercation over parking the deceased's car near his car at Kodangavila near Neyyatinkara.
A speeding car ran over Mr Kumar, and he later died.
Health minister K. K. Shylaja on Wednesday visited the victim's house and assured the family of stern action against the accused.
