KOCHI: The Kerala High Court harshly criticised the police in the accidental death case of journo K M Basheer. The court criticised while considering government’s plea questioning Judicial First Class Magistrate Court verdict granting bail to accused Sreeram Venkitaraman.

The court asked, “Why the police failed to complete the proceedings in the case. Why CCTV cameras were not installed on the road where many travel including the governor. It is the duty of the police to subject him for an examination to know the presence of alcohol in his blood. Sreeram was driving dangerously, the court said. The court has sent a notice to Sreeram. The court will consider the case again on Friday. The court did not impose a stay on his bail. The court has sent a notice to the officer.

Meantime, the government informed the court that the officer’s blood test was not conducted considering his injuries. He deliberately tried to destroy the evidence. Sreeram on his own went to KIMS hospital even after he was directed to go to medical college hospital. The government in the plea said granting him bail will affect the probe in the case.

He was granted bail asking him not to leave Kerala.