Chittar case: Cops conduct dummy test

KOTTAYAM: The police team probing the death of farmer PP Mathai received legal opinion to add IPC Section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against the accused in the case. The opinion was given by Pathanamthitta district public prosecutor by Wednesday evening. The seven forest department officials –who were present when Mathai was taken into custody – are likely to be named as the accused in the police probe.

Earlier in the day, Probe team conducted a dummy test at the well where Mathai was found dead in Chittar . The test started around 11.30am and lasted for around two hours. District police chief KG Simon was also present for the test.

Sheeba, widow of Mathai, had vowed not to conduct her husband’s funeral unless those who are responsible for his death are arrested. It has been 17 days since Mathai (41) was found dead in a well near his house. His body is kept in the morgue of Marthoma Medical Mission hospital, Ranni. Sheeba had said that the seven forest officials who took Mathai into custody from their home should be arrested and charged with murder. She has also moved the high court seeking CBI probe in this case.

The government on August 3 had suspended deputy range officer R Rajesh Kumar and section forest officer AK Pradeep Kumar based on a report by a three-member committee headed by Santayana Kumar, chief conservator of forests, southern circle. Earlier, forest department had transferred seven officers who were allegedly involved in the incident.