Vinayakan death: Friend identifies accused cops

THRISSUR: An identification parade of the policemen,  accused in the suicide of  dalit youth Vinayakan who was allegedly tortured in the Pavaratty police station in July, was conducted at Vadanappally police station  on Saturday. Vinayakan’s friend Sarath  identified the two accused policemen,  civil police officer Sreejith and senior police officer Sajan of Pavaratty station.     Vinayakan’s father Krishnankutty and his neighbour Santosh also identified the senior police officer who was present at  the  station  on July 17 when they had gone there to release Vinayakan and Sarat.

“I along with Sarath and my neighbour Santosh, who is also a witness in the case, took part in the identification parade held  in the presence of investigation officer DySP Feroz M. Shafeeque.  Sarat identified  Sreejith  who had taken him along with Vinayakan  into custody from Madhukara at   Pavaratty when the duo were talking to  Vinayakan’s girl friend,” Krishnankutty told DC. As per Sarath’s statement, Sreejith first beat him and Vinayakan in public at Madhukara and later  Sajan subjected the duo to severe torture at Pavaratty station.

Sarath had made a similar statement in the Lokayukta court in Thiruvanathapuram  last month citing that he and Vinayakan were tortured after they were taken into custody for not having relevant documents for their motor bike. Vinayakan  committed suicide on July 18 in his house at  Engandiyur after the alleged police torture.  The chargesheet in the case would be  submitted to the court soon.