Sub-inspector suspended after man’s death in police custody

Thiruvananthapuram (IANS) | A sub-inspector was on Sunday suspended following the death of a man in Kerala’s Ernakulam district after he was allegedly thrashed in police custody. Sub-inspector Jimmy Jose of Hill Palace police station in Thippunithura allegedly slapped Manoharan (51), who was caught for drunken driving during a routine vehicle inspection on Saturday night. Manohar was brought to the police station, where he fainted and was later declared brought dead by the doctors.

In the wake of the incident, Ernakulam City Police Commissioner Sethuraman issued an order suspending the sub-inspector.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the policeman should be charged with murder and mere suspension is not enough. He said that he himself has complained many times to the higher authorities against the functioning of the Hill Palace police station. He said that if the State Home Department does not take strict action, the Congress will launch a vigorous agitation against it.

Local MLA and Kerala Congress leader Anoop Jacob said that the Hill Palace Police is not friendly to the people and there are many complaints against the functioning of the station. He also demanded the dismissal of the concerned officer from the police department.

Meanwhile, the Youth Congress and the BJP took out a protest march towards the Hill Palace police station, demanding immediate action against all policemen involved in the alleged custodial torture and death of Manoharan.

Ajayan, a local, told IANS that daily wage laborer Manoharan was someone who had never consumed alcohol in his life. He has a small family consisting of his wife and two children.

–IANS