Thodupuzha: Five more cops are likely to be arrested soon over the custodial death of a remand prisoner who was allegedly tortured at the Nedumkandam police station in Kerala's Idukki district last month. Even former Idukki SP KB Venugopal could be questioned as the accused cops in custody have revealed his role in illegally keeping Kumar in custody, sources said.
A writer and woman cop are among the five cops, who are being monitored by the Crime Branch. The woman cop is likely to be arrested for rubbing green chillies on the private parts of the second-accused Shalini. She had also alleged that she was subjected to inhuman torture by the cops.
Kumar, a native of Kolahalamedu at Vagamon in Kottayam, was taken into custody in connection with the financial fraud case on June 12. The 49-year-old died on June at the Peeramde sub-jail. He is the first accused in the Haritha Finance fraud case.
Four cops, including former SI K A Sabu, have already been arrested over the custodial death. ASI C B Rejimon, and driver S Niyas, who were arrested on July 8, were remanded by the Peermade court on Tuesday and sent to the Devikulam sub-jail.
The Crime Branch has taken into custody SI K A Sabu, who was under remand at the sub-jail, for a day. The Peermade court has given permission for the Crime Branch to question Sabu till 6 pm Wednesday. Sabu was questioned again.
Higher-ups in the loop?
SI Sabu and ASI Rejimon revealed that the former Idukki district police chief K B Venugopal was aware that Kumar was kept in custody for four days. Sabu also told the Crime Branch sleuths that he had got orders from the higher-ups to trace the money involved in the financial fraud case by roughing up Kumar.
Sabu has also reportedly said told the Crime Branch that he was asked by senior cops not to record Kumar's custodial detention, it was hinted. Probe officers are considering whether to record the statement of Venugopal, based on the revelations made by Sabu, it was learnt.
The Crime Branch team also took Sabu to the Nedumkandam police station for evidence gathering. The process that began at 6 pm went on till night. Sabu and Rejimon covered their faces with handkerchief as they were taken to the Peermade court.
Minister M M Mani flays cops
Kerala Minister M M Mani has slammed cops at the Nedumkandam police station over Kumar's death.
"Nedumkandam cops are just fools. The former ASI was stupid. They did not even have the sense to take the accused to the hospital. As soon as the Congress men said something, the stupid cops went to Puliyanmala, which is not even under their jurisdiction, and brought in the accused. Those who were caught along with the accused were also taken to the hospital. Without even checking for assault, they were directly taken to the station," Mani said at a protest meet organised by the CPM Idukki district committee.
It is said Kumar was attacked by local people over the financial scam.
Mani, however, said that action would be taken against the erring officer irrespective of how senior he was.
Meanwhile, CPI Idukki district secretary K K Shivarman alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Home Department had made serious lapses in the custodial death case. The CM was not able to uphold the Left policies, he added.
Hitting back, Mani said that the CPI should have joined with the Congress and held agitations.
The CPM and the CPI are part of the ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala.
