Central decision crucial in Siddharth's case; documents to be handed over to CBI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The records of the Pookode Veterinary College student Siddharth's death case have been handed over to the Union Ministry of Personnel to be handed over to the CBI. The documents were submitted along with the government's notification 18 days before the CBI probe.

Special Cell DySP Srikanth reached Delhi and handed over the documents. The Ministry of Personnel will forward the documents to CBI headquarters. The Law officer will check whether the case is serious enough to be investigated by the CBI. If the case is of interest to the central government, the CBI will take over the case without argument. If the Centre approves, the CBI unit in Thiruvananthapuram will be investigating the case.

22 accused have been arrested in Siddharth's case. CBI can investigate the role of varsity authorities, conspiracy and mob attack. English translation of the FIR, statements, documents, date-line of investigation, Mahsar and post-mortem report were handed over.

Meanwhile, the opposition alleged that it was some people in the chief minister's office who delayed the transfer of documents from the home department to the CBI. The family also alleged that there was high-level intervention to stop the CBI investigation. Three officials, including the defaulting deputy secretary, have been suspended. The family also demanded that the investigation should not be limited to three persons and a special investigation is needed. The government is of the view that the controversy has ended with the suspension. The Home Department has had huge lapses, including sending the notification which should have been sent to the Ministry of Personnel in Delhi to the CBI office in Kochi.