Thrissur: Police team investigating into the alleged custodial torture of the Dalit youth who committed suicide after being released from police custody has not yet collected the statements of the two key witnesses.
The deceased Vinayakan,19, of Engandiyur was picked up from the road by Pavaratty Police last Monday along with his friend and neigbhour, Sarath, while Vinayakan was speaking to his girl friend.
After the alleged police torture, Vinayakan, was released the same day and he was found hanging in his bed room the next day.
It is learnt from the investigation officers that they are yet to collect the statements of the girl and Sarath.
Sarath had earlier said that Vinayakan was subjected to severe police torture in police custody and the cops wanted the duo to admit that they were chain snatchers.
"We have not yet received the post mortem report. But from the information we got from the doctors who conducted the postmortem there are no such proof in the report to show that the youth was subjected to custodial torture. There are two contusions on the head of the deceased which could be caused by a small blunt force and slight disorientation of tissues on breast nipples," investigation officer Valappad CI CR Santhosh told DC.
The investigation officers are of the opinion that as the postmortem report did not hint at any possible custodial torture, the statements of Sarath and the girl friend of the deceased would not be of much relevance in the case.
Legal experts are of the opinion that there was no point in the police delaying recording of the statements. "The torture can be of both physical and mental. It is surprising that the police have not yet recorded the crucial statements citing that there was no proof of custodial torture in the post mortem report," lawyer and DCC vice-president Joseph Tajet, said.
