Kerala Civil Police Officer suspended over custodial assault leading to bus driver’s death
A Civil Police Officer, S. Sreejith, has been placed under suspension following allegations of brutal police torture that led to the death of a 39-year-old
A Civil Police Officer, S. Sreejith, has been placed under suspension following allegations of brutal police torture that led to the death of a 39-year-old man in Kundara, Kollam, Kerala. The suspension order was issued by District Police Chief (Kollam Rural) Shaji Sugunan after a preliminary inquiry revealed severe lapses in protocol. Siyad, a private bus driver and a resident of Perumpuzha, passed away on July 24 while undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.
According to the police chief’s order, CPO Sreejith committed grave indiscipline, negligence, and service rule violations by failing to conduct a proper physical body search or procure a mandatory medical certificate before detaining the victim, and ignoring his symptoms of illness at the station. The incident traces back to June 16, when two seventh-grade students from Siyad’s neighborhood went missing. Following a statement given by one of the children’s sisters, police officers visited Siyad’s residence at midnight and took him into custody.
He was released the next day after the missing children were traced. However, Siyad’s health deteriorated significantly over the following weeks. He sought treatment at the taluk hospital on July 2 before being transferred to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital due to his worsening condition. Later an audio clip of Siyad’s daughter emerged online, alleging that her father was severely assaulted inside the police vehicle by Sub-Inspector Sampath and CPO Sreejith.
The police department had initially denied the allegations. Following these revelations, the Home Minister had demanded an immediate report, prompting the transfer of the investigation to the District Crime Branch.
The BriefWire