NRI custodial death case: Goa police hands over probe to SIT

Panaji, Feb 3 (PTI) Investigations into the custodialdeath of an NRI in a police lock-up here has been handed overby the Goa police to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), GoaHome minister Ravi Naik informed the House today.

Replying to a calling attention motion during the ongoingstate legislative assembly session, Naik said that SIT isheaded by Superintendent of Police Omprakash Kudtarkar, whichwill probe the death of NRI Cypriano Fernandes.

Naik said the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) inquiry hasconcluded that Cypriano died due to injuries received inpolice custody.

"The SDM has submitted a report today in which he hasconcluded that Cypriano died due to injuries which hesustained while in police custody," the minister said.

He stated that SDM has recommended that appropriateoffences under Indian Penal Code (IPC) should be initiatedagainst police officers on duty when Cypriano was in custody.

The 39-year-old seafarer on his vacation back home in Goawas arrested by Panaji police on January 7 after his womanfriend complained that he was threatening her.

While the accused died in police custody, the police hadsaid that he was suffering from ''fits'' and died a naturaldeath.

The first set back in this case came after DeputySuperintendent of Police Bousette Silva in his inquiry reportconcluded that there were procedural lapses after Cypriano�sarrest.

Three policemen � Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar,Police Sub Inspector Radhesh Ramnathkar and Head constableSandip Shirvaikar, were suspended after the preliminaryreport.