Two weeks after the alleged custodial death of Rajkumar, a financial agent, in a cabinet meeting that was held today the Kerala government has finally ordered a judicial probe into the case. A commission has been set up which will submit a report within six months. Congress party have welcomed this move.
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For the past few days, the opposition had come down heavily on the Pinarayi Vijayan government for the way it handled Rajkumar’s case. They had been demanding for a judicial probe. Yesterday, they staged a walkout to protest against the lack of seriousness on the part of the government.
Rajkumar was a financial agent from Idukki who arrested by the Nedumkandam police for suspected financial fraud on June 12. He was held in custody and allegedly tortured by the police. He was produced to court only four days later, after which he was remanded for judicial custody. On June 21, he was admitted to the Peermedu taluk hospital and declared dead soon after reaching.
His autopsy had revealed that he was definitely tortured. After the case gathered media attention, a few arrests have been made and several police officers have been transferred. Two senior police officers have been arrested after testifying to the prolonged torture and brutal interrogation of Rajkumar in police custody.
Yesterday in Thiruvananthapuram, Rajkumar’s mother Kasthuri conducted a protest march demanding for justice. The Rajkumar Action Council which had organised the protest demanded a CBI enquiry into the case. They also ordered action against several senior officers. The Kerela HC had also intervened and ordered a probe against a magistrate for sending a weak Rajkumar to judicial custody.