A senior Kerala police officer, who was on the run after allegedly pushing a man in front of a moving car last week, was found hanging in his home in Kollam district on Tuesday, November 13.
Accused Police Officer Found Dead
Reportedly, DySP B Harikumar, following an altercation with a 32-year-old man named Sanal, had pushed him in front of a moving vehicle in Neyyattinkara area of Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district. Following the incident, was booked for the alleged murder of the man and was suspended from his duties as well. NDTV reported that Harikumar’s bail plea was supposed to come up at a lower court on Wednesday.
However, there have been allegations that the police were helping Harikumar to escape arrest as people raised questions on how Harikumar could’ve travelled to his residence in Kallambalam when the police were still trying to find him.
Sanal’s wife, Viji and other family members who had begun a protest demanding immediate arrest of the police officer, at the exact same spot where her husband was killed, ended the protest after news of Harikumar’s death reached them. Sanal’s sister said that even though Harikumar is dead, all those who tried to help him must also face punishment.
What had happened?
According to The News Minute, the Neyyattinkara police have identified the deceased as Sanal, who worked as an electrician in Kodungavila. The incident reportedly happened in Kodangavila when the duo was engaged in a verbal spat over parked cars. The victim sustained several injuries and was pronounced dead later at the hospital.
The scuffle which broke out on Monday night ended tragically for Sanal. Several media reports suggest that Harikumar allegedly pushed Sanal on the road after which he was mowed down by an approaching vehicle.
However, a police officer from the Neyyattinkara station said, “Investigations are ongoing. We haven’t confirmed whether he was pushed or not. What we have found is that the two of them were having an argument when the car approached and hit Sanal.” Local witnesses who saw the incident demanded that a case of murder be registered against the DySP.
Demands to arrest the accused DySP
According to a Mathrubhumi report, Sanal was initially not allowed to be taken to the hospital by the DySP. He was first admitted to the to the Neyyattinkara General Hospital from where he was shifted to the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, where he was pronounced brought dead. Following the incident, the DySP has been suspended. Reportedly, Harikumar was not in uniform at the time and was visiting a house in the area. A large number of people also blocked the road and demanded the arrest of the DySP.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly said that owing to the serious nature of the case, an Additional Superintendent of Police will also look into the investigation.
Also Read: Kerala: Youth Allegedly Died In Police Custody After Police Arrested Him Over Mistaken Identity
