Crime branch to probe death of Kerala youth, who killed himself allegedly after police torture

Following widespread outrage over the death of a 19-year-old youth from Thrissur a day after he was released from police custody, a crime branch probe into the case has been initiated.

Vinayak had killed himself on July 18, after being held in police custody for a day and allegedly being subjected to custodial torture. On Saturday, Director-General of Police Loknath Behera handed the case over to the crime branch, based on a recommendation by Inspector-General (Thrissur Range) MR Ajithkumar, reported The Times of India.

On July 17, Vinayak was taken into custody by the Pavaratty police along with his friend Sarath while they were speaking to Vinayak's girl friend. According to Sarath, the police picked them up on accusations of chain-snatching. The police had allegedly been suspicious of Vinayak because of his long hair and unconventional hairstyle. The police, on the other hand, said that the young men were taken into custody as they did not possess valid papers for their motorbike.

While the police denied all allegations of torture, the post mortem report on Vinayak – released on Tuesday – revealed injuries on Vinayak’s chest and toes, dried blood on his mouth, left forearm, chest and toes, and scalp contusions.

Giving credence to Sarath’s claims that Vinayak had been tortured by pinching his nipples and hitting him on the chest, the post-mortem report also revealed abrasions on both his nipples. 

Following Vinayak’s death, two police officers were suspended from duty. However, there have been demands for further action in the case. Vinayak’s father also submitted a representation to the DGP seeking a detailed probe into the events that preceded his son’s death, the TOI report states.

On Saturday, musicians, writers, painters and poets conducted a cultural protest at Thekkindadu Maidan in Thrissur, demanding appropriate action against police officers for Vinayak’s death.