Richard Loitam death : Cops register murder case u/s 302 of the IPC
First step taken towards justice
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Bangalore, May 02 2012: Amid the mounting pressure for action, police on Tuesday registered a case of murder against two students in connection with the death of Manipuri student Richard Loitam under suspicious circumstances in a college hostel in Bangalore.

Earlier, the Madanayakanahalli police had registered an unnatural death case under Section 174(C) of the CrPC.

The new development follows a one to one between Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his Karnataka counter-part DV Sadananda Gowda.

according to a senior State police officer, Ibobi's talk with Sadananda Gowda on the matter on April 30 had led to the latter issuing a strong instruction to the Karnataka DGP for pursuing the case with all seriousness consequently resulting in the registration of the 'murder case' .

It is said that information has been conveyed to State authorities by the Karnataka Government about the police filing cases against two students and the hostel supervisor of Acharya NRV School of Architecture, the same institute where Richard was studying.

Demand for Justice in the death of Richard continues unabated

The police, who are awaiting the post mortem and forensic reports, have now registered a murder case under Section 302 of the IPC.

"A case of murder has been booked against the two students � Vishal and Afzal, the prime suspects named by Loitam's parents in their complaint," police sources told PTI.

Police changed the case from unnatural death to murder case based on the opinions of doctors and forensic experts.

Also, on Monday night, the hostel supervisor Sudhakar filed a fresh complaint, alleging that Loitam died after two students Vishal Bharadwaj and Syed Afzal Ali, punched him in a brawl.

Bangalore Rural SP, Prakash, clarified that the students were not arrested and reiterated that no one could be arrested till the reports confirmed the cause of death.

"There were about 11 injuries in his head and about five injuries are old.

Based on the opinions of experts, we decided to register a murder case.

In the meanwhile, the hostel supervisor has also filed a fresh case.

However, we are yet to conclude what exactly caused the death of Loitam," Prakash said.

"We are still awaiting the report of FSL where Loitam's viscera has been sent to ascertain the actual cause of death, before arresting the two students," he added.

19-yearold Loitam, a second semester student of Acharya NRV School of Architecture, was found dead on his hostel bed on the afternoon of April 18 .

While police initially said he died as a result of a road accident, the student's friends and family alleged he suffered fatal injuries in an assault by seniors a day earlier.

The death sparked off protests in Bangalore and New Delhi with the protesters demanding justice for Loitam.

Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok on Monday said that police were probing the case and action would be taken against the guilty as per law.

BJP North East India Sampark Cell Convenor Sunil Deodhar along with Manipuri Meitei Association (MMA) President Omprakash met Ashok on Monday and held discussions on Loitam's death.