Nothing pathological in pathology report: Cause of Loitam Richard's death
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 16, 2012 -

Justice for Loitam Richard : Protest Rally at Imphal on 07 May 2012 - Pix :: Banti Phurailatpam

So it stands that the histopathological reports have not been able to establish the exact cause of Loitam Richard's death, as reported by a reputed newspaper. So what is new ? Nothing.

We are no experts in Forensic Science, but from the little that we do know, it stands that in the case of any unnatural death the cause can be known or zeroed in only after collating the numerous tests that are commonly known as the post mortem examination.

The histopathological report or examination is but just a part that fits into the frame of the post mortem examination.

As things stand today, the toxicology report has already negated drugs, thereby giving a lie to the canards spread by some elements from the Acharya's NRV School of Architecture, where the late student studied. It is but natural and expected that in any examination or investigation the first clues that are looked into or studied are the physical findings or gross examination in the case of post mortem examination.

We have already given an extensive report of the gross examinations or physical findings of the preliminary post mortem, a copy of which is available with The Sangai Express, earlier, but a reminder seems to be in line.

The physical findings in the preliminary report clearly says that the face of the deceased was disfigured and discoloured and both eyes are blackened, laceration over the outer aspect of left eyebrow, laceration over left forehead, concussion over left upper lip, concussion over left upper lip, oozing blood present over both nostrils and mouth, abrasions on thighs and shoulders and other external injuries clearly visible to the eye.

In the face of such damning external injuries, the report that the histopathological report has not been able to confirm the cause of the death of Richard is akin to jumping the gun with the potential to convey to the readers that the cause of death could be anything, other than the assault that Richard suffered at the hands of two or maybe more hostel mates.

The histopathological report is no doubt news, but the potentially damaging element in it is unmistakable, for the simple fact that not everyone knows that this is but just a part of the overall post mortem examination.

From the manner in which the case has been handled right from day one, the uneasy feeling that there is some sort of a cover up attempt is clear.

First it was the April 15 accident alibi that Richard met with that was and is still tossed around, then came the canards of drug use and then the biggest of it all-that the late student was temperamental, a statement made on the ground that he used to sleep late !

This is not only ludicruous but outrageous. The report on the histopathological findings also quoted the police as saying that “there was a delay in filing a complaint, which might have affected the forensic process.”

Richard was reportedly found dead in his bed in the afternoon and the complaint was filed only at 6.30 pm, as per the story filed by the newspaper in question here and the natural question that follows is why the delay ?

The delay could be due to many reasons, but at the same time so many things can also be rightfully read into the delay. Can the delay be seen as some sort of a time taken to tamper with evidences ?

This is a valid question and with more questions emerging than answers, even after nearly 30 days of the death of the young student, it would be in the fitness of things to rope in the service of an independent body like the CBI.

Hand over the case to an independent body, which will be free from the pull and push of local pressure, political or otherwise.

The Arushi murder case would not have proceeded to the stage that we see today if not for the pressure mounted by the citizenry of the land and the intervention of the CBI.

It is no longer a case of a family fighting for justice of a lost son, but a case which has many connotations, racism being one of them.

Hand the case over to the CBI and in the meantime it would be in the fitness of things to ensure that the media as a whole does not carry stories which could have the potential to send out a wrong signal or to put it bluntly, mislead the people.

The histopathological report may not have been able to zero in on the exact cause of Richard's death but this is not the final say. And hyping up such a story comes close to saying that the case lies unresolved and in the process exonerate the suspects.