Thiruvananthapuram: A judicial first class magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram granted IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman bail in the case concerning the death of a Kerala journalist. Meanwhile, a special investigation team (SIT) headed by ADGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb has been appointed to investigate the case in which IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman is the main accused. Meanwhile, Jayaprakash, sub inspector of Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram, has been suspended for lapses in investigating the case.

Venkitaraman was arrested and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days in connection with the death of Basheer. Venkitaraman was shifted from medical college jail cell to the ICU of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, as directed by surgeons.

Based on the directive of the chief minister, chief secretary Tom Jose suspended Venkitaraman from the post of survey director on August 5.

Kerala journalist KM Basheer was killed in a road accident on Saturday (August 3) in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased worked as the Thiruvananthapuram unit chief of Siraj newspaper. Kerala Police have confirmed that IAS officer and survey director Venkitaraman was driving the car when the accident took place.

An eyewitness stated that the IAS officer was in the driver’s seat during the accident and that the IAS officer, who exited the car after the accident was in an inebriated state. A blood test on the IAS officer was conducted. However, since the blood test was done nine hours after the accident took place, no trace of alcohol was found. Based on the blood test report, Venkitaraman was provided bail.