Thiruvananthapuram: Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) Jacob Punnose on Monday denied reports that 13 persons had died following custodial torture in the State in the past one month.

Briefing mediapersons here on behalf of the Director-General of Police, Mr. Punnose said six of the deceased were remand prisoners who were admitted to hospitals by jail authorities after they complained of sickness. Quoting forensic examination reports, he said two persons died after heart attack while in police custody. Three persons were drowned while attempting to flee police on routine patrols. One person was reported missing.

In one alleged case of police operation-related death in Amboori, the youth jumped into the Neyyar reservoir even before the police reached the spot. There was no circumstantial or forensic evidence pointing to police excesses or custodial torture in any of the reported cases, Mr. Punnose said.

Action for fair probe

Nine policemen were placed under suspension pending inquiry into the incidents. Mr. Punnose said the suspensions were ordered to ensure a free, fair and transparent investigation. The ADGP said he was not justifying the police action in toto. In some instances, there were "judgmental errors" on the part of policemen.

The police response should be calibrated to the gravity of the law and order situation and the seriousness of the offence involved. There was no need for overenthusiasm in cracking down on petty offences.

The police were duty-bound to protect the life of a suspect if he was in distress.

Mr. Punnose highlighted the example of constable Davis, who saved a suspect who fell into a well while fleeing the police in Thrissur. The police were preparing a manual that would spell out the "rules of engagement" in various law and order situations. There was a rough "sub-culture" in the police that needed to be changed through training and sensitisation.

The department was examining whether arrest was mandatory in all bailable offences, particularly traffic cases. In some bailable offences, arrest was unavoidable. Mr. Punnose said the public should ensure that baseless accusations and campaigns did not erode the morale of policemen who upheld the right.

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