Re-investigation ordered into tribal man’s unnatural death near Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in 2023

A re-investigation will be carried out into the unnatural death of a 47-year-old tribal man whose body was found hanging near the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital three years ago, even as questions linger over the course and conduct of the earlier probe.

The latest action follows a recent order issued by the Kozhikode Principal Sessions Court subsequent to an appeal moved by the victim’s sibling. As per the order, the re-investigation report should be submitted to the court within two months.

The family of the deceased tribal man, identified as Viswanathan from Wayanad, had expressed deep dissatisfaction with the poor progress of the earlier investigation carried out by the local police and the Crime Branch. After the investigation was wound up without making any headway, they had also submitted complaints to the police higher-ups and the Chief Minister seeking a thorough re-investigation.

The main allegation by the complainants is that the police carried out a slow-paced investigation which reportedly led to the vanishing of key evidence. According to them, there was no proper inquiry into the suspected intimidation of the victim which reportedly abetted his unnatural death. 

There were also complaints that a group of unidentified men had humiliated Viswanathan in public alleging that he had stolen the mobile phone and cash of a caregiver near the hospital on February 9, 2023. The complainants claimed that the man had to flee from the spot unable to withstand the harrowing experience. They had also alleged obscurity in the death. His body was found hanging from a tree on February 11, 2023. 

One of the major criticisms against the special investigation team (SIT) was its alleged failure in tracking the person who complained of losing his mobile phone and cash. Even after quizzing about 150 persons, there was no clue about the man who made the allegation. The security guards who were reportedly present at the spot also failed to provide any helpful information.