SIT to probe NRI’s custodial death: Goa minister

PANAJI - A special investigation team (SIT) has been appointed to probe the custodial death of an NRI chef last month, Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik said Thursday.

Naik told the state legislative assembly that all policemen who were present at the police station during the time when NRI chef Cipriano Fernandes, 39, was in custody would be booked, as per the recommendations of a magisterial enquiry into the incident.

I have appointed an SIT headed by Superintendent (O.P.) Kurtadkar. He is a good officer. He will probe the entire custodial death episode, Naik said in reply to a calling attention motion moved by an opposition legislator.

The SDM (sub divisional magistrate) has opined that it may be appropriate to initiate relevant offences under the Indian Penal Code against all the police personnel on duty at the police station for the period, Naik said.

The government will initiate action accordingly against the concerned police personnel, Naik assured the house.

Three police officials including a senior police inspector were Tuesday suspended following a departmental enquiry in connection with the alleged custodial death of the NRI chef, who had just returned from a Trans-Atlantic cruise liner before he met his end.

His relatives and a girl friend claimed he had died in police custody, while the police initially claimed that Cipriano had died of natural causes.