Custodial death of Manoharan: Sub-inspector suspended, locals allege brutal harassment

KOCHI: The sub inspector was suspended in connection with the death of a 52-year-old man, who collapsed soon after taking him into custody during a vehicle inspection. Tripunithura Hill Palace sub inspector Jimmy Jose has been suspended by the commissioner pending investigation. The dead is Manoharan (52), son of Reghuvaran of Irumpanam Karshaka Colony.

The locals levelled serious allegations against the police. The enraged locals are now besieging the Hill Palace Police Station. After a complaint was raised against the police, the investigation of the case has been handed over to the crime branch. The investigation is under the supervision of the district crime branch DySP.

Manoharan, a construction worker, during a vehicle inspection, stopped his bike a bit forward. This provoked the police and eyewitnesses said they slapped him.

Two cops stopped Manoharan. When they found that he was not drunk, the police forcefully took him to the station on the charge of negligent driving.

The police took Manoharan into custody on Saturday night at 8.45 pm from Irumbanam Karshaka Colony. Manoharan collapsed soon after reaching the station. He was immediately taken to Tripunithura taluk hospital and from here, shifted him to Ernakulam Medical Trust Hospital in an ambulance, but his life could not be saved.