Gazetted officer'' to probe custodial death: Kamat

Panaji, Jan 13 (PTI) Goa Chief minister Digambar Kamattoday said that a high-ranking officer would probe the lastweek''s alleged custodial death of a 39-year-old man.

Cipriano Fernandes, who worked in merchant navy, died onJanuary 8.

"Superintendent of Police will hold inquiry into theincident through a gazetted officer," Kamat told PTI.

The Chief Minister had sought a detailed report from thestate home department after family members of Fernandessubmitted a memorandum to him demanding action against policeofficers.

Cipriano was arrested by Panaji Police last week after heallegedly tried to assault his lady neighbour.

The family members had claimed that police subjected himto "third-degree" treatment which led to death.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Sabaji Shetye is also holding ajudicial inquiry into the death.

Panaji police inspector Sandesh Chodankar told PTI thatCipriano was admitted to the hospital from the police custodyas he fell ill. "He died when he was not in the custody,"Chodankar said.

The relatives, however, have refused to buy theexplanation. "He was badly beaten up by police in their vanwhen he was picked up from the home. We demand that policemenresponsible for his death should be suspended," CosmeFernandes, Cipriano�s cousin, said.

Family members have said that they will not takepossession of the body till guilty police officers arepunished.