Thiruvananthapuram: A 40-year-old man died in police custody on Monday after being for allegedly harassing a woman, triggering protests by local people. The deceased is Suresh Kumar, a resident of Nelliyode, Judgikunnu near here.
Local people alleged that he was tortured and killed at Thiruvallam police station. The opposition Congress has sought a comprehensive probe into the incident.
Police said Suresh Kumar complained of chest pain in the morning and he was shifted to a nearby hospital. He was reportedly rushed to the Medical College Hospital after doctors at the nearby hospital told the police that his condition was very serious. He died on the way to the referral hospital.
Suresh Kumar and four others were taken into custody on Sunday evening by the Thiruvallam police under the Thiruvananthapuram city police limit on the basis of a harassment complaint filed by a woman.
After reports of Suresh Kumar’s death came out, several local people reached the police station alleging that he was subjected to custodial torture. They have demanded the registration of an FIR against the erring police officers.
Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan, and KPCC chief K Sudhakaran alleged there was a "mystery" behind the death of Suresh Kumar.
"The government should order a comprehensive probe into the death of the man in police custody in Thiruvallam. According to the police, the man died due to chest pain while in custody. But relatives and eyewitnesses say he was subjected to brutal torture in custody," Satheesan said in a statement.
He said the allegation of the relatives that Kumar died as a result of custodial torture should be taken at face value.
Satheesan alleged that the police force, which is responsible for protecting the lives and property of the people, is not fulfilling their responsibilities and custodial deaths and police atrocities are rampant in the state under the Left government.
He also urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to quit the home portfolio.
Sudhakaran claimed that the police version that Kumar died of chest pain was not credible. He said the post-mortem should be conducted in the presence of a magistrate and also demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.
(With inputs from PTI)
