THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The investigation into piracy-related cases has run into trouble after the Karnataka Police slapped a case for custodial death on the officials of the Anti-Piracy Cell (APC) of Kerala.The case was registered after Asokh, 27, an accused who was in APC’s custody, was found hanging in the bathroom of the BSF camp in Bangalore where he was provided accommodation.Asokh and his father Sudhakar were taken into custody after they surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here four days ago.While the court declined the APC’s request for keeping Sudhakar in custody citing health problems,Asokh was sent to APC custody.On Saturday, the investigation team took Asokh to Bangalore for collecting evidence. According to the APC’s version, Asokh went for a bath and committed suicide by hanging himself.With Asokh’s death, the investigation by the State Anti-Piracy Cell, which has been cruising ahead successfully so far, received a major setback. Another youth, 25-year-old Hemanth,who was suspected to be a key player in the piracy operations had committed suicide earlier. It was reported that he committed suicide after it became clear that the APC would hunt him down from his hideout.With the number of casualties rising to two after the APC tightened its noose around the piracy racket,it is said that the APC officials are under tremendous pressure.“The death has of course slowed down the pace of the investigation. Right now we are waiting for certain legal procedures to be completed,” said APC DySP S Rafeek from Bangalore.He also admitted that with Asokh’s death, they have lost an important link that could have led them to the big sharks in the business. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports from Bangalore suggest that the APCarrested a theatre owner in connection with film piracy. Sudhakar, Asokh’s father was provided interim bail by the court. He flew to Bangalore to attend his son’s funeral.
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