Youth taken into custody dies

A 26-year-old man hospitalised after purported custodial torture by police in Varappuzha, in Ernakulam district, died late on Monday, reports DHNS from Thiruvananthapuram.

The deceased, Sreejith R, was among 10 people arrested in connection with the suicide of Vasudevan (55), a native of Varappuzha.

Sreejith's family alleged that he was subjected to custodial torture, causing serious damage to his internal organs. The Ernakulam Range IG will conduct a probe into the incident.

Police had shifted Sreejith to a private hospital after he complained of severe abdominal pain, preliminary reports said.

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission had earlier directed the district police to investigate the allegations of custodial torture.

The body of Vasudevan was found hanging at his home on Friday after a group of men entered his house and assaulted his family. Reports said members of Vasudevan's family had earlier clashed with some of the residents of the area.

Tension prevailed near the Varappuzha police station on Monday night after a group of BJP workers staged a protest against the police.