THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
A day after netizens thronged secretariat demanding justice for Sreejith who is fighting a lonely battle since past 766 days demanding CBI probe into the alleged custodial death of his brother Sreejeev, the Centre assured probe by the premier investigation agency and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended all help to the family in their pursuit for justice.
The Centre has promised to get the allegations probed by CBI, said Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday. Tharoor and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, met Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region in New Delhi demanding a CBI inquiry. Singh assured that the probe will be ordered immediately.
Later in the evening, Sreejith along with his mother Ramani and friends met Pinarayi Vijayan and demanded CBI probe. After the meeting Sreejith said he would continue his fast till the CBI probe is ordered.
He demanded that the state government should initiate steps to vacate High Court stay on punitive action against police officers who are accused of custodial torture. “The Chief Minister appealed us to end the hunger strike. But I will continue the strike as my demand is yet to be accepted,” said a fatigued Sreejith. The chief minister reportedly spoke to AG and directed him to take immediate steps for getting the stay vacated. Later in a Facebook post, Pinarayi Vijayan said his heart was with Sreejith’s agitation demanding CBI probe into the death of his brother.
The chief minister said the demand raised by the family was just. “We will do whatever is possible to meet these demands. The government will extend all help to Sreejith. I have assured this during my meeting with him. When this issue came to our notice, we sent a letter to CBI demanding a probe into the matter. I respect the issues being raised by Sreejith, his mother, family members and their friends. I respect their feelings. I will work with that conviction,” he said.
Governor P Sathasivam also called up Ramani Sreedharan, mother of Sreejith to express anguish over his condition.
“After learning about my son’s hunger strike through media, Governor called up and appealed to ensure that Sreejith ended his strike. He asked us to hand over all document related to the case by Wednesday,” Ramani said. The protest by Sreejith gained momentum as it entered 767 th day. The strike had received unprecedented support from people especially youth here on Sunday.
Sreejev died in mysterious circumstances in police custody after being taken in for alleged mobile phone theft. While officials said that he had consumed poison in custody, the family members allege custodial torture. The Police Complaints Authority had also found the policemen guilty in the case.
Sreejeev was taken into custody by the Parassala police on May 19, 2014 on the charges of theft of a cell phone and alleged torture. Two days later the youth succumbed to his injuries at the Medical College hospital.
Since then Sreejith, his mother Ramani and brother Sreeju have been running from pillars to post seeking justice. State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) in its inquiry had found that the death was caused due to custodial torture. However, despite the clear indictment of police, the authorities had failed to take action against the guilty.
The family was paid a compensation of Rs 10 lakh. But more than money, they want the culprits behind Sreejeev’s custodial murder to be brought to justice.
