Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Monday decided to hand over the probe into the death of a 40-year-old man, under the custody of police, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Sources said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed to hand over the case to the central agency.
Suresh Kumar, who was taken into custody by the police for allegedly harassing a woman, died in custody on February 28.
According to police, accused Suresh Kumar complained of chest pain in the morning and was shifted to a nearby hospital. He was reportedly rushed to a 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.
Kumar, a resident of Nelliyode, Judgikunnu near here, and four others were taken into custody on Sunday evening by the Thiruvallom police under the Thiruvananthapuram city police limits on the basis of a harassment complaint filed by a woman.
The group allegedly harassed a couple who were visiting the Judgikunnu area.
Meanwhile, Suresh's brother Subash alleged that the latter was subject to torture in the custody and there were bruise marks on his body.
"He had black bruises on his chest and his back was swollen," Subash said.
"Suresh was in an exhausted state before reaching the hospital," he said.
Subhash also accused the police of chasing him away when he visited his brother.
(With PTI inputs.)
