Thodupuzha pit death: SHRC calls for probe by SP-level officer from outside district

Kochi: State human rights commission (SHRC) has asked Idukki district collector to appoint an SP-level officer from outside the district to investigate the death of youth after falling into a pit at Muthalakodam in Thodupuzha. The commission took up the case suo motu based on media reports. The investigating officer (IO) should be appointed by the South Zone IG. SHRC chairperson Alexander Thomas said that the IO must determine whether the authority to fill the pit in question lay with the public works department (PWD). They must also check for any serious lapses by the department's officials. The IG should provide the investigation team with adequate police personnel. Statements should be taken from the deceased's relatives, residents who previously requested that the pit be filled and PWD officials. It should also be investigated whether accidents occurred at the same location before. The insurance cover of the vehicle driven by deceased Jeys Benny should be verified. If any steps were taken to compensate the dependants of the deceased, those details should be in the report. Any internal investigation report by PWD regarding the accident should be submitted, if available. The IO must submit a comprehensive report to the collector within six weeks. The collector should then attach their report and submit it to the commission within two weeks. The PWD chief engineer must submit a separate report within six weeks, including the internal vigilance wing's investigation report.