As if the murder of two middle-aged women in Lallmatie was not horrible enough, one suspect in this case died in police custody on Saturday while he was under the responsibility of members of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT). Ramdoollur Ramlogun had been provisionally accused of ?conspiracy to commit murder? with his nephew Avinash Ramgotee. Although the enquiry to determine the cause of death has not been concluded yet, a warrant of arrest was issued against SP Prem Raddhoa ? in charge of the MCIT ? after Bindu Ramlogun, Ramdoollur?s wife, signed an affidavit in view of the autopsy report.

Avinash?s uncle was arrested at his home after being questioned by SP Prem Raddhoa and detective inspector Ranjit Jokhoo on his whereabouts between 8 and 9 pm on 5th January. The investigators were obviously not satisfied with his version, which they found incoherent and contradictory. His nephew had been found stabbed near the house of the two women who were murdered. The police believe the same type of knife might have been used in the three attacks. Avinash has not yet been questioned as he is in hospital but the police are suspicious after his contradictory versions of his attack. His relatives explain his behaviour by the dramatic experience he underwent. In any case, he might be the one to help solve the Lallmatie double crime.

In the meantime, the death of Ramlogun has taken centre stage with his relatives? allegations of police brutality. According to the report of the police medical officer, Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, the autopsy revealed that Ramlogun died from an ?intracranial haemorrhage of traumatic nature?. At the request of his family, Dr Amah Charya Gujjalu ? a retired police medical officer ? assisted Dr Gungadin during the autopsy. Both agree on the cause of the death but Dr Gujjalu appeared more confident that the haemorrhage was caused by a violent blow on the head.

SP Raddhoa said he had talked to his men but only the enquiry will say who is responsible for the death of the suspect. But he is aware that ?those who are found responsible for this will have to bear the consequences?. The police have so far maintained that the suspect had been taken to Jeetoo hospital because he was suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

<B>Could this death have been avoided?

But his wife maintains that his state could not have been due to alcohol. She noticed injuries on her husband?s feet and left cheek ? which the forensic scientists have confirmed.

Viren Ramchurn, the family lawyer, is revolted by what happened to the suspect, the more so as Ramdoollur Ramlugon told the magistrate in Flacq district court on Friday that he had been beaten up. In such circumstances, the feeling is that this death could have been avoided, had his allegations been taken more seriously.

His family intends to find out the real circumstances of his death and it is committed to doing all it can to succeed. The first step has been to ask for the arrest of SP Raddhoa. With this in mind, they have requested the Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International to open an independent enquiry. Viren Ramchurn has also made it clear that the family will sue the government in protest against the behaviour of some MCIT officers. He also wants the CCID be responsible for the follow-up of the investigation.

Ramdoollur Ramlugon has left a wife and three children who appeared devastated at the funeral? And they are convinced that he has nothing to do with the Jhurry murders. In any case, light must be shed on all the cases of violence which have occurred over the past few weeks. The truth on the Jhurry murders as well as Ramlugon?s death must come to light.

The warrant of arrest against Prem Raddhoa and a certain number of MCIT members is a sign that no one is above the law? Whoever this may be, those responsible must pay the price for this death.