T’puram: Amid protests by Venganoor residents over the alleged delay in taking police action against the husband of 24-year-old Archana, the investigation in the case was handed over to city crime branch (CCB) on Wednesday.
The decision in this regard was taken by commissioner and IG Balram Kumar Upadhyay after reviewing the case file on Wednesday.
Assistant commissioner (CCB) Johnson Charles is the new investigation officer in the case.
It was on Monday night, Archana, a BSc Nursing graduate, died of burns after she allegedly immolated herself.
Though the police had taken her husband, Suresh, into custody on Tuesday, he was let off after a preliminary round of questioning.
Archana’s parents, Ashokan and Molly, had alleged that their daughter would never take her own life and blamed Suresh for her death.
Ashokan had also given his statement in this regard before the police.
On Wednesday, the residents of Venganoor staged a road blockade along with the body of Archana that was released after autopsy, demanding the arrest of Suresh.
Speaking to TOI, IG Upadhyay said that the case was handed over to CCB to ensure a more focussed and efficient probe.
“Due to Covid-19 situation, the personnel at local police stations are involved in various duties related to fighting the pandemic.
Hence, the case was handed over to the crime branch,” said the officer.
Archana and Suresh, a welder by profession, got married in May last year.
According to her parents, fights were frequent between the couple owing to the wayward lifestyle of Suresh.