Deputy Superintendent of Police Harikumar, the prime accused in the murder of Sanal, a Neyyanttinkara (Thiruvananthauram district) native, is found dead by hanging himself in his ancestral house in Kallambalam on Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram border. He has been absconding since the last more than a week as police has been chasing him in connection with the Sanal murder case. Sanal died when Hariumar pushed him to the road in front of a speeding car. After some time police came and took him to the police station even though his injuries were fatal. The police had their own excuse for this criminal act – Duty change of the cops. Later on he was taken to the hospital and he died.
Since then Harikumar has been absconding. There were news that he had escaped to Tamil Nadu and then to Karnataka. In the meantime, Crime Branch of the Kerala Police was assigned to carry out the investigations, thanks to the strong stand of Viji, the wife of the deceased. BJP came out with stiff opposition to the slow pedalling of the state government. Even though Crime Branch took over the case, still Harikumar remained untouched.
At last, Viji, her children and her mothern-law started a hunger strike this morning, Novemer 13, on the spot where Sanal underwent fatal attack. The news of suspended DySP’s suicide came in immediately after Viji started her hunger strike. The reprots suggest that he came to Kerala to surrender. But, what happened this morning which pushd him to suicide is unknown. Viji responded that the almighty God has executed His verdict. Accordingly she put an end to her hunger strike.
There are reports that Harikumar has been infamous during his service in the police department. He had to undergo suspensions several times. There are allegations of womanizing also. The people in the area of the crime have reportedly mentioned that the crime took place in front the house of his girlfriend. When he came out from her house he found Sanal’s car parked in front of his car. Then he got angry and the attack on Sanal followed. The man is reported to be an ardent CPI(M) supporter. There were reports that he had a lengthy discussion with the CPM Thiruvananthapuram district secretary before he went underground.
The murder of Sanal had kicked off grave political controversy in the state and had earned a very bad reputation for CPM. It was pointed out as the latest incident of the criminalization of the police force under CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
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