Dance teacher Shaji's suicide; No evidence to charge incitement; investigation to be closed

KANNUR: The investigation into the suicide of dance teacher Shaji Poothatta, who was arrested following the bribery scandal at the Kerala University Arts Festival, will be closed. The police say that there is no evidence to charge anyone with incitement to suicide.

The police had asked Shaji to reach Thiruvananthapuram in connection with the case. Shaji was worried that the case would become a problem for him. He was worried that the case would affect his career and whether he would be able to continue as a dance coach. The investigation team found that all this led to suicide. Shaji had shared this concern with several friends.

The investigation was conducted by a police team led by Kannur City Inspector Kailas Nath. The police came to the same conclusion in the investigation conducted in Thiruvananthapuram too. Hence, it is indicated that further investigation will not be happening.

No evidence of attack

The police say that there is no evidence that Shaji was physically attacked. The police had investigated the allegations of Shaji's mother Lalita that he was brutally beaten and had scars on his face. This was specifically examined at the inquest and post-mortem. The post-mortem report states that the death was due to Ekalux ingestion. The report also states that there was no damage to the internal organs. All phone calls to and from Shaji's number were checked. Shaji never told anyone that he was beaten.

Questioned

Eight friends of Shaji were interrogated. They were called to the police station based on the phone numbers obtained when the mobile phone was checked. Murukadas, a native of Kasaragod, whom Shaji had last called, had been questioned in detail. Murukadas testified that Shaji told him that he was afraid to go to Thiruvananthapuram and wanted him to come with him.