Man dies in police custody in Kerala

Kochi: The death of a man in police custody at Tripunithura near here has led to strong protests by the locals of the area and Youth Congress workers on Sunday demanding action against all the officers involved in the incident.

Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan demanded lodging of a case under Section 302 (murder) of IPC against all the police officers in this regard.

“The police who are unable to protect women are stopping two-wheeler riders on the road and behaving so cruelly with them. If they (concerned police officers) are not booked for murder and an investigation initiated,

Kochi will witness another protest,” he contended.

Police, earlier in the day, suspended a sub inspector of Hill Palace police station who was accused by the locals of having beaten the victim.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the victim, Manoharan, was asked to stop his motorbike by a squad from the Hill Palace police station during routine vehicle checking.

As he did not stop, the squad chased him down and asked him why he

did not stop.

According to a woman who claims to be an eyewitness to what transpired, the victim claimed he was scared and that is why he did not stop.