Sreejith custodial death: Former Ernakulam Rural SP AV George suspended

This move comes after the SIT probing the case submitted a report recommending action against George.

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Former Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police AV George was suspended on Friday evening in connection with the alleged custodial death of Sreejith.

This move comes after the SIT probing the case, submitted a report to the DGP Loknath Behera. The SIT found lapses on the part of George relating to Sreejith's death and recommended action against him in its report.

On the basis of this report, George has been suspended, and he is likely to be called for questioning again.

On April 21, George had been transferred to the Thrissur Police Academy in the wake of a Crime Branch probe into the custodial death.

Three members of the Rural Tiger Force, which was subsequently dissolved, had been functioning under George and were arrested in connection with the case.

On May 2, the Kerala government announced that it will give compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a government job to the wife of 26-year-old Sreejith.

Reacting to the development, his wife had said, "The steps taken by the government are good. The police are solely responsible as my husband was innocent.”

Meanwhile, Sreejith’s mother said, ”We have approached the high court seeking a CBI probe. All those police officers who did this to my son must be taken to task. None should be allowed to escape.”

So far, five policemen have been arrested in the case.

The probe team arrested three policemen who first took Sreejith into custody on April 7 night.

Sub-Inspector Deepak and suspended Circle Inspector Crispin Sam were arrested later.

Trouble started for Sreejith after 56-year-old Vasudevan hanged himself, as a group of men barged into his house and threatened him.

A special squad took Sreejith and nine others into custody on April 7 and charged them with abetment to suicide and rioting. Subsequently, Sreejith was taken to a hospital where he died on April 9.

Read: 'Sreejith IPS is SP George’s friend': Custodial death victim’s family opposes probe