Nithin Raj's death: High Court slams police; asks why DySP wasn't suspended despite lapses

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has once again criticised the police over lapses in the arrest of Dr M K Ram, the first accused in the case related to the death of dental college student Nithin Raj of Anjarakandy Dental College. The court questioned why the DySP responsible for the lapses had not been suspended and said the government must take the necessary action. It directed the government to communicate its decision within a week.

The court said the delay in taking action could not be accepted, especially after an inquiry found that the DySP had failed in his duties. It also observed that there were serious lapses in the police procedures followed in the case. The court said investigating officer DySP Sudheer Kallan had committed serious lapses at the initial stage of the investigation and questioned why he had not been suspended.

In response, the government counsel told the court that an oral inquiry had been ordered against the officer. He said the DySP would be suspended after the inquiry was completed. The counsel also submitted that suspending the officer without completing the required procedures could prompt Sudheer to approach the Kerala Administrative Tribunal and obtain a stay.

Meanwhile, junior officers who were part of the Crime Branch team investigating Nithin Raj’s death were transferred recently. The Home Department took the action based on an Intelligence report highlighting serious lapses in the arrest of Dr Ram. The Crime Branch SP, DySP and inspector who were part of the investigation team were retained, while the remaining squad members were transferred to the Kannur District Police Headquarters.