Human rights group demands probe into Ankit Keshri's death; Claims death "unnatural"

Ankit Keshri

Kolkata, May 2 (IANS)

A rights group has filed a police complaint demanding an investigation into the “unnatural” death of cricketer Ankit Keshri and punishment of all those responsible for his demise.

In an e-mail to the city police commissioner, Surojit Kar Purokayastha, the human rights organisation – Association For Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) – said a proper investigation was necessary “to find out the real cause of Ankit's death and to punish those guilty”.

Keshri, a former Bengal Under-19 captain, was hospitalised with a head injury on April 17 after colliding with teammate Mondal while fielding for his club East Bengal during a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) senior knockout match against Bhowanipore. He succumbed to his injuries three days later.

Real reason of Ankit’s death remains unanswered: APDR Secretary

APDR Secretary Ranjit Sur alleged that the cricketer was hospitalised with a serious injury, but shifted to another hospital a day before he died “on the basis of a risk bond signed by a club official”.

“His body was cremated without post mortem,” Sur alleged in the e-mail, expressing surprise at Keshri's shifting from one hospital to another “without his family's expressed permission”.

The complainant alleged, “His family members expressed in the media that they were not at all involved in the whole process of shifting. How can a club official shift a critical patient without his family's consent and how a hospital can release him?”

“The real reason of his death has remained unanswered. Complaint of negligence and breach of trust on behalf of East Bengal club and Cricket Association of Bengal officials are in the air,” Sur alleged.

He urged the commissioner to treat the e-mail as an FIR regarding the “unnatural death” of Keshri and start an investigation to find out the real reason of his death and punish those guilty.

Sur also requested that all papers related to Keshri's treatment be confiscated as early as possible “so that evidence is not destroyed”.