Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state government has decided to transfer the investigation of custodial death at Nedumkandam police station in Idukki district to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Crime Branch’s ongoing investigation will be transferred to the CBI. The agency will probe everything from the circumstances in which Kumar was taken into custody to his death at the hospital. The additional chief secretary has been advised to take up the transfer procedure on urgent basis.
The issue was introduced in the cabinet meeting by the chief minister himself.
High-ranked policemen, including an SP, are involved in the case. The Kerala High Court had granted bail to K A Sabu, the suspended Sub-Inspector (SI) of the Nedumkandam police station in Kerala's Idukki district a couple of days ago.
The special team of the Crime Branch had arrested seven, including Sabu, over Kumar's death. The rest are lodged at the Devikulam sub-jail. Four police officers, including Sabu, were suspended and five others transferred over Kumar's death in the Peerumade sub-jail on June 21.
Kumar’s family and the opposition had requested CBI probe.
Justice K Narayana Kurup has said the judicial probe he is heading will continue alongside the CBI probe.
Kumar, the owner of Haritha Finance at Thookupalam, was arrested for financial fraud on June 12. He died while he was on remand.
