Thursday, October 6 2005 14:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: At a politically trying time for the ruling coalition in Kerala, the Oommen Chandy Government has come under attack for a custodial torture anddeath in a police station in the state capital.

The Opposition LDF, already in an upbeat mood after its splendid showing in the civic elections, has seized on the issue to embarrass the Government, which has only seven months left for its term to expire.

In what was seen as a reminder of the Emergency days, one Udayakumar was allegedly tortured using an iron pipe in the lock-up in the Fort police station, where he was lodged after being picked up from a park in suspicious circumstances.

The youth allegedly died after the constables 'rolled' his body with an iron pipe, a method used by the police in the sensational Rajan case during the Emergency period.

With the incident hitting the headlines, two constables earlier this week surrendered before the City Police Commissioner and another one was arrested. One Circle Inspector had been placed under suspension.

Taking a serious view of the case, the Chief Minister had ordered an investigation by a special crime branch team.

Also, the Crime Squads attached to police circle offices had been disbanded as that wing formed to put down petty crimes had paradoxically earned notoriety for highhandedness.