As the investigation progress, shocking instances of police brutality is coming out on the recent custodial death of Raj Kumar in Kerala. The crime branch investigation team has found that policemen under the influence of alcohol brutally beat Rajkumar for four consecutive days without even letting him sleep. The investigation reveals that they applied the paste of hot chilly in the private parts of the victim and that another man who was also in police custody said that he had heard the screams of Raj Kumar.
A native of Kolahalamedu in Vagamon who was accused in a financial fraud case, Rajkumar was picked up for questioning by the Nedukandam police on June 12, according to his relatives. However, his arrest was recorded only on June 16, 4 days after he was taken into custody. While the post mortem mentions that pneumonia was the cause of death, it clearly states that the victim had suffered blunt force injuries. Multiple media reports also allege that the deceased had been denied drinking water and this had deteriorated his health condition.
“He was beaten up badly in his house while the police came to question him on the 12. On June 15, he was taken to the Nedukandam hospital as he complained of chest pain. The doctor there referred him to the Kottayam Medical college hospital as he had a lot of injuries. However, instead of taking him there, the officers took him to the magistrate instead and remanded him to Peermedu sub jail. He was brought to the jail at 1:20 am and a day after this he died,”said Antony, a relative. Rajkumar breathed his last on June 21 while being admitted at Peermedu Taluk Hospital.
Over a week after the death of 49-year old Rajkumar’s autopsy report highlights 22 injuries across Rajkumar’s body. Four of his ribs were also fractured apart from his sternum. Contusions detected on the soles of his feet indicate that Rajkumar was subjected to the infamous Falanga torture which involves continuously beating the soles of the victim’s feet. Following the post mortem report, the Kerala High Court has now intervened and ordered a probe against the Idukki magistrate, Reshmi Raveendran, for remanding the deceased despite him being extremely physically weak.
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