Suicide of dalit youth: Court orders to impose abetment to suicide against cops

THRISSUR: Action against cops in the suicide of Dalit youth Vinayakan in Engandiyoor. The Thrissur SC and ST court has ordered that the accused cops be charged with abetment to suicide. The charge of abetment to suicide was not charged against them in the crime branch charge sheet. The action was taken on the plea filed by Vinayakan's father against this.

The crime branch had initially filed a charge sheet in the Thrissur Principal Sessions Court alleging that the cops had beaten him. It was alleged that cops T P Sreejith and K Sajan of Pavaratti station had beaten Vinayakan. Sections such as wrongful detention, assault, intimidation, and violation of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act were charged. No charge of abetment was filed. The two cops were suspended. Vinayakan's father later filed the plea.

Vinayakan was taken into custody on July 17, 2017, while talking to his friend in Pavaratty. A necklace had been stolen at the place where Vinayakan was taken into custody. He was later found dead inside his house on July 18.