Kerala govt orders CBI probe into remand prisoner's death

The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to order a CBI probe into the death of a remand prisoner following alleged custodial torture.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The 49-year-old Rajkumar, who was taken into custody on June 12 in connection with a financial fraud case, had died on June 21 in Peermedu sub-jail, allegedly due to custodial torture.

The government has provided Rs 16 lakh as financial aid to the family and a government job to Rajkumar's wife.

The deceased had suffered serious injuries and had critical wounds on his legs below the knee.

A second post-mortem conducted on Rajkumar's body after it was exhumed had reportedly revealed more injuries.

Four police personnel -- a Sub-Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector and two drivers of Nedumkandam police station -- had been suspended and eight others transferred in connection with the incident.

The chief minister recently said the government would not protect any erring policeman involved in the case.

"No one has the right to keep any person in custody illegally or beat them to death. Such people will no longer be there in the state police service," he had told the State Assembly.