Kozhikode: An eyewitness to an accident has claimed the scooter rider, who died after falling into the Canoli Canal in Kozhikode, was chased by a police patrol unit.
R Rajaneesh (51) of Parambath, Makkada rode into the canal at the T Junction on the Kunduparamba Road near Puthiyangadi around 12.30 am Tuesday. He was declared dead at a hospital.
As per the FIR lodged by the Elathur Police, Rajaneesh's scooter hit a roadside stone barrier and fell into the canal, but it does not mention a chase. CrPC (Code Of Criminal Procedure) section 174 that concerns police enquire into a death has been charged.
Meanwhile, advocate Mohammed Afrin Nahman from Thikkkody has claimed he saw a police patrol unit chase the scooter rider before the accident. He was driving a car and claims to have seen the patrol unit follow the scooter from Pavangad.
Nahman had joined the police and personnel of Fire & Rescue unit in recovering the body of Rajaneesh from the canal.
He told Onmanorama that though he could not be sure what happened at the moment of the accident as the police vehicle was in front of his car, he is certain that the cops had been chasing the scooter rider before his death.
According to unconfirmed reports, the police followed the man after local people reported seeing him continue on his scooter despite a fall somewhere near Vengali. Some reports said that Rajaneesh was thrown off his scooter while he tried to overtake another vehicle.
Special branch to probe
It is understood that the Special Branch has launched a probe into the accident.
According to reports, the rescue was delayed by over an hour as the part of the canal where the accident took place was covered with dense thickets. Local people reportedly dissuaded the policemen from attempting a rescue saying the area was infested with snakes.
It is understood that the special branch has retrieved footage from three CCTV cameras in the locality.
Rajaneesh's body was handed over to his family members after an autopsy at the Government Medical College Hospital.
