A senior police officer was today suspended in connection with the recent alleged custodial death of a 26-year old man at Varapuzha in Kochi, police said.
Then Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police A V George, transferred to the Thrissur Police Academy after the April 9 death of S R Sreejith, was suspended based on the report of a Special Investigation Team which found 'lapses' on his part, they said.
The report was submitted today to the state police chief Loknath Behra today.
Five police personnel -- a circle inspector, a sub-inspector and three members of the Rural Tiger Force (RTF), set up by George, have been arrested in connection with the death of Sreejith, which had triggered protests from different quarters in the state.
Sreejith, who was taken into custody in connection with the death of a person, had died in a private hospital. His relatives alleged that he died due to custodial torture.
Police have rejected the allegation saying Sreejith was suspected to have suffered injuries during a clash before he was taken into custody.
Facing flak from the opposition, the Kerala government has constituted the SIT headed by IGP S Sreejith to probe the death.
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