The incident was reported from Kerala's Idduki and it was learnt that the man had been held by the cops for financial fraud.

Key Highlights The deceased was arrested for financial fraud Post mortem report revealed that he had 32 wounds Four cops have been suspended

Idduki: In another case of suspected police brutality, a 49-year-old prisoner died while being in police custody. The incident was reported from Kerala's Idduki and it was learnt that the man had been held by the cops for financial fraud.

In what is a major cause of concern, the family members of the deceased alleged that he was arrested by the police on June 12 but he was produced in front of a magistrate in court on June 16, four days later. This is clearly in contrast with the mandate that any person who is arrested has to be presented in a court within 24 hours of being held.

In a chilling twist in the tale, the post mortem of the deceased prisoner revealed that there were 32 wounds on his body below the knee. The kin of the deceased allege that he was continuously tortured by the police for four days.

The man was allegedly tortured and after he was produced in court where he was remanded to further custody, he was then sent to a hospital. He died on June 21 in the hospital where he was being treated for the multiple wounds he had sustained on his body.

The case drew ire of the locals and so far, four policemen have been suspended and five transferred. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had in the state assembly said that strict action would be taken against those responsible for this incident.

Police brutality of this kind is not just deplorable and illegal, it also brings forth the question whether a common citizen feel safe under Khaki custody? If a man who has not yet been judged guilty is beaten to a pulp, with 32 wounds on his body, who then can believe that they will be dealt with mercy.

