Thodupuzha: The state intelligence on Thursday confirmed the charge of police brutality on Kumar, the 49-year-old remand prisoner at the Peermade sub-jail who died at a private hospital on June 21.
The intelligence has revealed that after being picked up by the cops on June 12 in connection with a financial fraud case, the victim had spent four days at the restroom of the Nedumkandam police station which also doubles up as an ‘idimuri’ (torture room).
He was subjected to third degree torture measures by the ASI and two police drivers. A higher officer was also present at the station. The officers made Kumar lie spread-eagled on his back on a bench at the station, bound him and crushed his thighs with a pipe. The two drivers trod on his thighs with boots while the others beat on the soles of his feet with a cane. The cops were said to be in an inebriated condition. There were as many as 32 wounds on his body and most of which were below the abdomen.
Reportedly, he fell unconscious after the higher officer kicked him in the abdomen during the interrogation.
People living in the vicinity of the station had heard loud screams from the station at night. The CCTV camera at the station had captured the visuals of Kumar being brought to the station on June 12. From the footage it is evident that he had no major health problems. However, the officers had allegedly turned off the CCTV camera before they took him out to produce before the magistrate four days later. It is suspected that the officers would have erased more visuals to destroy evidence.
As Kumar’s health condition was extremely bad when he was brought before the Idukki magistrate on June 16, the latter had to go near the police vehicle to complete remand formalities.
Peermade sub-jail superintendent G Anil Kumar has said that Kumar was not even able to stand up on his feet when the cops produced him at the jail. Medical students had captured the photos of the dead body after the autopsy, but officials forcefully deleted those images, it was alleged.
Crime Branch begins probe
Meanwhile, a special Crime Branch team has launched an inquiry into the incident. The team on Thursday visited Kolahalamedu, from where Kumar hailed, and gathered information from his family members and witnesses.
On Wednesday, four officers, including the ASI, of the Nedumkandam police station was suspended in connection with the custodial torture and death. Those suspended were writer Roy P Varghese, assistant writer Syamkumar, and senior civil police officers Biju Lukose and Santhosh Varghese. So far, eight officers have been placed under suspension while five others transferred. All the personnel attached to the station would be shifted, said Idukki Superintendent of Police K B Venugopal.