Varapuzha custodial death: Bring in CBI, drop SP, says Ramesh Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has sought a CBI probe into the custodial death of a youth in Varapuzha. Speaking at a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram, he alleged that the DGP had no control over the Rural Tiger Force there, and also asked for the removal of the rural SP, A. V. George. Chennithala said that a fair probe could not be expected from the police investigation team.

He pointed out that the argument by the police that Sreejith had sustained injuries before he was taken into custody had turned out to be baseless. He demanded to know how a person who had got injuries in his intestine could survive for three days without any treatment. The Opposition Leader lambasted George who had appointed the Rural Tiger Force, an informal squad comprising AR camp members.

“Who gave the permission to the Rural SP to form the Rural Tiger Force? Sreejith was taken into custody by the squad members who came in mufti. It is really unfortunate that the norms to be observed during the arrest of an individual has not been met in the case of Sreejith,” said Chennithala. He also demanded that George should be transferred. Chennithala alleged that the police arrested those people whose names were listed out by the CPM leadership.

He also pointed out that the accused who attacked Vasudevan’s house there were yet to be caught. Chennithala iterated that for these reasons a CBI probe or a judicial enquiry was needed into the custodial death of Sreejith. He also demanded that the government give Rs 25 lakh solatium to the Sreejith’s family plus government job to his wife. “Sreejith’s is the sixth custodial death after Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power. The CM has lost control over the force,” Chennithala added.