THODUPUZHA: CPI Idukki district secretary K K Sivaraman harshly criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the Nedukandam custodial death case. Flaws were noticed from the side of the chief minister and the home department. The chief minister was not able to protect the policy of the left front. SP, who led the custodial death, was elevated. Some tried to suppress the CPI using former SP. Police is not a force to beat and kill troublemakers, said Sivaraman while inaugurating the march staged by the CPI towards Nedukandam police station.

Meantime, the Peerumedu Court had directed to leave former sub inspector K A Sabu, first accused in the case, to the custody of the crime branch till Wednesday evening. The crime branch had found that Rajkumar was subjected to brutal torture in police custody.

The police tortured him severely to make him say the truth. He was beaten using a bamboo cane on his toes. When he failed to speak on June 13 and 14, three bottles of chilly spray were sprayed on his secret parts.