‘Change the probe team’: Sanal’s emotional wife demands justice from Kerala cops

Sanal’s wife Viji wrote to the Kerala government, requesting them to hand over the case to another IPS officer.

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It has been five days since the death of 32-year-old Sanal Kumar, and the man responsible for his death, former Neyyattinkara Deputy Superintendent of Police B Harikumar, is still supposedly untraceable. Sanal's wife Viji says that she is not happy with the ongoing investigation, which is led by investigating officer Antony KM, Crime Branch SP.

“I have no trust in the current team of investigating officers,” Viji tells TNM. “It has been days since Sanal’s death and the man is still absconding. Two days ago, I wrote to the Kerala government expressing my displeasure over the pace at which the investigation is going and requested them to hand over the case to a more responsible IPS officer. I hope the government will consider my request and do the needful soon,” she adds.

Meanwhile, SP Antony visited Viji at their residence in Kodangavila in Neyyattinkara. “He came to see me on Friday and said that he will investigate the case, nothing else,” Viji adds.

Sanal, who was an electrician from Neyyattinkara, died on Monday night after he was hit by a car during a brawl with Harikumar over their parked cars. According to witnesses, Harikumar pushed Sanal on the road, after which a vehicle hit him.

The DySP, who is currently absconding, was suspended following the incident and a case has been registered against him under IPC Section 302 (punishment for murder).

Children slowly understanding the reality

During Sanal’s funeral on Wednesday, his two sons, three-year-old Albin and two-year-old Ebin, were seen playing with each other next to Viji, who remained silent throughout, staring at the empty walls. The children, who were oblivious to the fact that their father was no more, are slowly beginning to understand the reality, says Viji.

“The children are still not aware that their papa is no more. But, there is a visible sadness on their face when they see Sanal’s photo on the wall and the general silence at home. I think they have started sensing something is wrong as their papa has not returned home yet. They are sad about that,” Viji says.

Questioned Harikumar’s family: Antony

Several media reports are suggesting that Harikumar is likely to surrender before a court on Saturday. The investigating officer, Antony, however, tells TNM, “As of now, we haven’t received any information on Harikumar surrendering.”

About the ongoing investigation to trace the DySP, Antony says, “We have questioned Harikumar’s wife and searched their house in Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram. As of now, we are investigating the case and working with the goal of arresting him as soon as possible.”

When asked about the family’s displeasure over the investigation, he says, “We don’t want to comment on the family’s demand to change the team. We are doing our job.”

Meanwhile, protests are picking up the pace in Neyyattinkara, where a crowd, led by the Sanal Kumar Action Council, are expressing their anger over the inaction of the Kerala police in the case.

Soon after the incident, media reports said that the ambulance carrying Sanal Kumar went to the police station first, so the constable on call could change shifts. Later, CCTV visuals, which were recorded at 10.23 pm on Monday, showed that the ambulance carrying Sanal was heading to the Neyyattinkara police station, instead of the Medical College.

(With inputs from Sreedevi Jayarajan)