Three police officers suspended in Goa in custodial death case

Panaji, Jan 25 (PTI) A Police Inspector, a sub inspectorand a constable were today suspended from service forprocedural lapses in connection with a custodial death case inGoa.

Cypriano Fernandes, who was arrested for threatening hislady friend, died in the police custody at Panaji policestation earlier this month.

Police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande said that PoliceInspector Sandesh Chodankar, Police Sub Inspector RadheshRamnathkar and constable Sandip Shirvaikar have been placedunder suspension.

He said that the interim report submitted by deputysuperintendent of police Boussette Silva had confirmedprocedural lapses after Cyrpriano was arrested.

The inquiry report has found that there were no properarrest formalities conducted after his arrest.

Deshpande, however, said that although there wereprocedural lapses, they had nothing to do with the cause ofdeath.

"Whether Cypriano�s death is a custodial death or notwill be decided by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM)," hesaid.

Cypriano, an NRI working with merchant navy, was arrestedon January 7 after his lady friend informed police that he wasthreatening her. After the arrest, he was taken to hospital,where he died.

The family members of Cypriano had refused to take thebody, alleging that he was beaten up by police, and demandingaction against the police officers responsible for his death.