Thiruvananthapuram: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by ADGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb has been appointed to investigate the Kerala journalist death case in which IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman is the main accused. 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.

Also read: Kerala journalist death case: IAS officer remanded in judicial custody

Meanwhile, Jayaprakash, sub inspector of Museum Police station in Thiruvananthapuram, has been suspended for the lapses in the investigation.

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 the surgeons.

Also read: IAS officer who fought against encroachments now in trouble after death of Kerala journalist

Earlier, he was admitted in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram having sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Meanwhile, co-traveller Wafa Firoz, who was with Venkitaraman during the accident, issued a statement to the police that Venkitaraman was driving the car during the crash. She added that she drove the car till Kawadiyar and later Venkitaraman took over.

But at the same time, Venkitaraman had stated that Wafa was at the wheel when the accident happened. Sources, although, state that an auto driver, who is an eyewitness, stated that the IAS officer was in the driver’s seat during the accident. The auto driver added that the IAS officer, who exited the car after the accident was in an inebriated state.

Sriram’s blood test was done nine hours after the accident took place and no trace of alcohol was found in it.