Kerala Police commando’s ‘suicide’ triggers row in Wayanad

According to data from Kerala’s home department, as many as 138 police personnel from the state ended life from 2016 to last month in 2024.

Police sources said a case for unnatural death has been registered and that a probe is ongoing.

Congress MLA T Siddique alleged that the commando killed himself over harassment from his higher ups. Quoting WhatsApp chats of the deceased police commando, Siddique told the media in Wayanad’s Kalpetta that Vineeth had sought a leave because wife is pregnant but his higher ups refused to grant it.

“His suicide note has clearly indicated the names of senior officials responsible for his death. This should be treated as a murder, not suicide. Three times he had applied for leave, but higher ups did not grant it. Officials responsible for Vineeth’s death should not be allowed to continue in service,” Siddique said.

Meanwhile, a close relative said Vineeth had been under “mental trauma” after he failed to clear a physical fitness test as part of his training.

In the wake of the rising suicides in the police department, the state government had last year commissioned a detailed study by the research wing of its police academy to find the reasons behind such action.