Medical examination delayed, contradictions in statement; allegations of lapses in investigation into Maniyanpilla Raju's car accident

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police have been accused of lapses in the investigation into the collision between Maniyanpilla Raju's car and a bike. City Police Commissioner K Karthik had told the media that the police had visited Raju's house on the very night of the accident and that the house was locked. He had added that the car was also not there.

However, Raju's response was that the police had come to his house at night and met him. Raju said that the police told him to come to the station in the morning when he told them that he was sick and his wife was alone at home. This contradiction was alleged to be an attempt to sabotage the case.

Raju had said yesterday that he himself called the police after the accident and was told to come to the station the next morning. However, the police denied this. The police said that the incident was reported by those who were at the accident site.

Raju was tested for alcohol after 12 hours. There was also an allegation of foul play for not conducting the test earlier. Experts say that a medical examination after eight hours is irrelevant. The Volvo car was taken into custody by the police from behind the tennis club based on Raju's statement. The injured youth told the police that the accident took place at 9:30. CCTV examination revealed that it was after 10 o'clock.

An investigation will be conducted to see if there was any lapse on the part of the police. A detailed investigation will be conducted

K Karthik,

City Police Commissioner