Kochi, February 16 (IANS). The Kerala High Court on Monday amended its earlier interim order in the Suraj Lama case and directed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case will be headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) instead of the Police Commissioner.
In its interim order issued on February 11, the division bench had directed that the SIT will be headed by an officer of the rank of Commissioner of Police or equivalent.
However, on the request of the government counsel, a bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and MB Snehalatha amended the direction, saying that the SIT will now be headed by the DIG.
The court has asked the SIT to continue its investigation to record the entire sequence of events from Lama’s arrival in India till his death.
Lama, an Indian citizen deported from Kuwait, had gone missing after landing in Kochi. Later, forensic examination of the body recovered from Kalamassery confirmed that it was that of Lama.
The case became the subject of judicial scrutiny when it emerged that he was allowed to leave the airport without any assistance by immigration and airport security officials, despite his apparently fragile condition, which included cognitive and other possible disabilities.
The court had expressed concern over the administrative management of the deportees and questioned whether any standard protocol existed for dealing with persons in such circumstances.
Despite Lama’s body being identified, during the last hearing the bench refused to close the habeas corpus petition.
The court directed the SIT to continue investigating the incidents after Lama’s arrival in India and said the possibility of murder cannot be ruled out at this stage.
–IANS
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