'My pappa is gone'; daughter's emotional plea follows Siyad's death after police detention

KOLLAM: The family of 36-year-old Siyad has accused the police of custodial torture, alleging that he died from injuries sustained while in custody after being questioned in connection with the disappearance of a 13-year-old boy in Kundara. Siyad, a resident of Perumpuzha Society Mukku, died while undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital.

According to the family's complaint, Siyad was beaten inside a police jeep and later at the police station after he was taken into custody on the night of June 16. They allege the assault left him with a fractured rib and spinal injuries.

Relatives said officers ignored repeated pleas that Siyad was already in poor health and suffering from existing medical conditions.
The missing student was later traced, and police reportedly established that Siyad had no connection to the case before releasing him in the early hours of June 17. Family members said Siyad told them he had been assaulted while in custody.

Daughter's emotional call surfaces

An audio recording that has since surfaced captures Siyad's daughter confronting Civil Police Officer Sreejith, who was part of the team that detained her father.
"My pappa is gone. Sir, didn't you hit his spine? Didn't I tell you that pappa was unwell?" she is heard asking in the recording.

Police Deny Custodial Violence

Police have rejected the allegations, maintaining that Siyad's death was linked to pre-existing health complications rather than custodial assault.
Citing preliminary post-mortem findings, officers said Siyad was suffering from Hepatitis B and other medical conditions. They added that the exact cause of death can only be determined after the final post-mortem report is received.

The death has triggered sharp political reactions across the state.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has sought a detailed report from the Director General of Police (DGP). Minister P.C. Vishnunath visited Siyad's residence to offer condolences, while Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan called for all those responsible to be brought to justice in a post on social media.