Sub-inspector of Wandoor police station suspended for custodial death

KOZHIKODE: The Home department  has suspended  sub-inspector S.R. Saneesh of Wandoor police station in connection with the  custodial death of Abdul Latheef, 50, who     was found hanging in the toilet of the station on Sunday.   The suspension was based on a report submitted by Malappuram SP Debesh Kumar Behera. The post-mortem of Latheef would be conducted at Medical College Hospital here.  

As it was a custodial death and the rights panel has already intervened, the post-mortem procedures would be videographed. Each step of the process will  be explained by the police surgeon in front of the camera. The home department had ordered a Crime Branch inquiry into the custodial death, sources said. A judicial investigation by the district judge also is on.    Latheef, a truck driver,  was taken into custody on Saturday night in connection with a tyre theft.  

Latheef who went to the toilet by 11 a.m. failed to return  and when the police broke open the door of the toilet,  he was found hanging from the roof of the toilet on his bathing towel, according to the police. The home department  suspended two civil police officials in connection with the incident.   Latheef was arrested several times earlier in connection with many theft cases. There were nine cases against him at various police station limits.    The State Human Rights Commission  registered a case on Sunday on a complaint from the family members of Latheef.   He is survived by wife Fousiya, son Fayid and daughter Jinsiya.