The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Panchayat member's death to be probed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Panchayat member's death to be probed

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 15. The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, told the Assembly today that the Government would take action on the death of Bindu Devakumar, member of the Pampadmpara panchayat in Idukki district, after a thorough probe.

Opposing an adjournment motion sought to be moved by Benoy Viswam (CPI) and other Opposition members on the subject, the Chief Minister said the preliminary assumption was that the panchayat member had died after consuming poison.

The real cause of death would be known only after the post mortem and chemical examination reports were received.

The police had taken into custody the panchayat president, Jayaprasad, who had tried to destroy the suicide note found near the dead body. He was being interrogated, Mr. Chandy said.

Mr. Viswam alleged that Bindu Devakumar was murdered for her having questioned the misdeeds of the panchayat president.

Jayaprasad was expelled from the CPI some time ago. When he tried to remain in office with support of the UDF defying party whip, the party had approached the State Election Commission for action against him. The death of the panchayat member had occurred even as the Commission was slated to hold a hearing on March 22, the CPI member pointed out.

Thorough probe sought

The Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, also sought a thorough probe into the death of the panchayat member.

The suspicious behaviour of the panchayat president indicated that he was responsible for the panchayat member's death, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

Body buried

Our Staff Reporter writes from Idukki:

The body of Bindu Devakumar was buried this evening.

She leaves behind her parents, three bothers and a sister.

Meanwhile, the CPI today alleged that the panchayat president was the culprit, but he was being protected by the UDF.

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