The Hindu : Kerala News : Custodial death: murder case registered

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Custodial death: murder case registered

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM, APRIL 11. The special police team that is investigating the custodial death of a man at the Kollam East Police Station on April 6 has registered the death as a murder case. The District Crime Detachment Dy.SP, Ramesh Kumar, who heads the special team, today formally informed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, S. Thulasidas, of the same.

The case pertains to the death of Rajendran, 36, who was taken into custody on charges of a mobile phone theft from a private hospital here. The police initially registered the death as a case of suspicious death under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Based on the autopsy report, it is now changed as a murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

No one has been arrested in connection with the case. As the investigation is progressing, no one has also been listed as accused. However, three policemen, including an additional sub-inspector, have been placed under suspension.

In the deposition given by the suspended policemen it was stated that Rajendran had been assaulted by some persons at the hospital itself before the police had taken him into custody. But after taking him into custody, the police neither subjected him for a medical examination nor was his statement recorded. However, the police recorded that he had died while in custody.

As part of a magisterial inquiry ordered into the case, Mr. Thulasidas today visited the Kollam East Police Station and collected evidence. He also recorded testimonies from Rajendran's mother and other close relations.

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