The crime branch will probe the death of Ratheesh, the second accused in the Panoor Mansoor murder case. DySP Shah Jose is in charge of the investigation. Ratheesh is reported to have suffered internal organ injuries and pressure in his lungs. With this, the opposition leaders had come to the scene alleging that there was suspicion in Ratheesh’s death.
Following this, the crime branch announced an investigation.
The UDF had earlier accused Ratheesh’s death of being a mystery. Sudhakaran MP alleged that it was doubtful whether he was killed and hanged by the CPI (M). ‘There is suspicion in the death of Ratheesh, the second accused in the case. Ratheesh was a man with a lot of evidence. The CPI (M) fears that if this evidence is leaked, the details of the leaders involved in the conspiracy will be leaked. Therefore, it is doubtful whether Ratheesh was killed and hanged, ”Sudhakaran said while addressing a UDF protest rally in Panur.
KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran had said that there was suspicion in Ratheesh’s suicide. A detailed inquiry into Ratheesh’s death is needed. Mullappally Ramachandran said in Thiruvananthapuram that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should be prepared to ensure that there will be no killings on the part of his party.
RSP leader Shibu Baby John had also come forward alleging that the accused in all the cases in which the CPI (M) was involved were being killed.
The Mansoor case investigation has been handed over to the Crime Branch. The SIT will be headed by the Crime Branch’s Northern Regional IG. The decision comes after the opposition stepped up its criticism of the current probe team. The opposition demanded that DySP Ismail be removed from the charge of the investigation and handed over to an IPS officer.