Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Custody death: HC orders CBI probe

The Kerala High Court today ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the custodial death of Sampath, the key accused in the Sheela Murder Case.

Justice V Ramkumar, while issuing the orders observed this was a case where the public had lost confidence in police.

It is evident there had been manipulation in the case records and the police investigation was a 'farce' as there were attempts to save higher officials.

The court observed this was a fit case for the central investigating agency to probe.

The court had directed the State Police to hand over the case records to the CBI unit here.

Sampath (26), the first accused in the Sheela murder case, died while in police custody on March 29 at Puthur in Palakkad District.

The court also observed it was unfortunate that lock-ups in the State had turned into 'death rooms'.

The Crime Branch, which was probing the custodial death, had filed chargesheets against 12 police officials.

The court further observed that sensitive cases should be investigated by police officials with proven credentials.

Any police official who was directly or indirectly connected with the incident should be brought to book, the court said.

The court gave the order while allowing a petition filed by Murukesh, the brother of Sampath.

The court also observed that investigation into the Sheela Murder Case in which Sampath was an accused should not be influenced by the observation of the judgement.

The murder of Sheela Jayakrishnan took place on March 22, 2010, in the day light at her house in the heart of Palakkad. Her mother Karthiyayani (70) was also brutally attacked

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