Opposing the plea for a CBI probe into the custodial death of S.R. Sreejtih, the State government informed the High Court that there has been a steady progress in the investigation by the police in the case.
When the petition filed by Akhila, widow of Sreejith, came up for hearing, the State government submitted that an Inspector General of Police was supervising the probe.
Besides, four police officers had been arrested and they were now in judicial custody apart from listing a Circle Inspector as an accused in the case.
The government, while opposing the application filed by BJP State general secretary A.N. Radhakrishnan seeking to implead in the case, submitted that the petitioner had no locus standi to file a petition in the case.
It was pointed out that when the petition by the Ms. Akhila was pending before the High Court, no third party was required to implead in the petition.
The plea for impleading in the case was purely a political move.
Compensation
In her petition, Ms. Akhila also sought a compensation of ₹1 crore. She was entitled to get a compensation as it was a case of custodial murder.
She said that at the time of taking her husband into custody and also during the police custody, Sreejith was brutally assaulted.
It was injuries sustained in these assaults that led to his death on April 9.
She alleged that her husband was tortured to death as a result of a conspiracy hatched under the leadership of the then District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) A. V. George.
According to her petition, despite registration of a crime under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code against four police officers and their arrest, the Special Investigation Team had not taken any action against the real conspirators.
The court adjourned the petition to May 22 for further hearing.
