CI may be arraigned as accused

The Special Investigation Team may soon arraign Crispin Sam, Circle Inspector (CI) of the Varapuzha police station, who is under suspension, as an accused in the case pertaining to the alleged custodial death of S.R. Sreejith.

Official sources said the investigators had found serious procedural lapses on the CI’s part in recording the arrest of Sreejith and his co-accused. Based on the finding, they also sought a legal opinion on arraigning the CI as an accused in the case.

According to them, though the charges of murder would not hold against the officer, a case could be registered against him by invoking provisions for illegal detention and tampering with evidence.

The Crime Branch on Saturday took four policemen, including the former Varapuzha sub-inspector, who are accused in the custodial death, to the Varappuzha police station for evidence collection.