Ex-Army man's death after feud with son-in law in Kozhikode; Crucial CCTV footage surfaces

KOZHIKODE: CCTV footage of ex-soldier Gopalan (75) collapsing to death surfaced on social media on Sunday. The CCTV footage shows Gopalan collapsing shortly after his son-in-law publicly abused him. Thamarassery police registered a case of unnatural death in the incident. However, Gopalan's daughter Divya alleged laxity from the police in the case.

CCTV footage of Gopalan near a beauty parlour run by his daughter Divya, near the old bus stand in Thamarassery, emerged on Sunday. Gopalan is seen being warmly welcomed by his grandchildren in the footage. However, immediately after this, Divya's husband, Vineesh, came to the scene and abused Gopalan, making him leave the place. In addition, the footage shows Vineesh dragging Divya near the stairwell, harassing her and using obscene language.

Vineesh used to physically abuse Divya due to family problems. It is also alleged that Vineesh had previously tried to set Divya's scooter on fire by pouring petrol on it. Friends and family members say that Gopalan was mentally disturbed due to the brutal torture his daughter was undergoing.

The Thamarassery police station is just 50 meters away from the beauty parlour. Gopalan’s daughter Divya accused the police of showing laxity in the case. Gopalan’s friends blamed the abuse and trauma for the death. The police's reluctance to file a case against the accused Vineesh, despite the emergence of new evidence, has led to strong protests.