Richard's death : Bangalore police toy with 'Mysterious death' under 174 (C) IPC alibi
Prelim PM report points to 'lethal injuries'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2012: Even as the preliminary post mortem report prepared by Victoria Hospital, Bangalore has pointed out a number of potentially lethal injuries inflicted on the body of the late Loitam Richard, Madanayakaya-hally police station has registered the case under section 174 (C) of the Indian Penal Code, which has nothing to with homicide but with 'Mysterious Death'.

A copy of the preliminary post mortem report which is available with The Sangai Express has pointed out a number of potentially lethal injuries on the body of Loitam Richard, who was found dead on his hostel bed on April 18 at about 1.30 pm, profusely bleeding.

Though the death of Richard has been attributed to Haemorrhage the final say on the cause of the death has been kept reserved pending the result of the Chemical Analysis and Histopathological examination reports.

Some of the key and potentially lethal injuries mentioned by the preliminary post mortem report include, Brain-Softened and shows patchy subarachnoid haemorrhage at places over both cerebral hemisphere, which in lay man's language may be understood as brain damage caused by a blow.

Scalp-Diffused blood extravation, which again may simply be understood as bleeding inside the scalp or blood clot; Lungs-Congested Cross Section and exudes blood, which means bleeding lungs.

Some of the key external injuries mentioned in the post mortem include laceration on the outer aspect of the left eyebrow; laceration over left forehead; contusion over right thigh; contusion over inner aspect of left thigh etc, which all point to severe assault.

The Sangai Express has come to learn that no official team of the State police has been deputed to Bangalore as the police officer who had gone to Bangalore to claim the body had gone there in his capacity as the uncle of the deceased and not an official deputed by the State Govt.Speaking to The Sangai Express, the mother of the late Richard said that they were informed of his death at 3.30 pm of April 18, after the hostel doctor of Acharya's NRV School of Architecture had pronounced him dead at 1.30 pm.

The death came to light when Richard did not wake up even at 1.30 pm and when one of his hostel mates went to check, he was found lying on his bed, profusely bleeding from the nose.

The hostel warden was informed who in turn called up the hostel doctor.

The family members alleged that instead of calling the police, as is the natural procedure at times of unnatural death, the bodv was taken to the hospital by the college.

"Why did they take the body without first informing the police?" they countered and cast aspersion that it could have been a ploy to destroy any evidences.

In the statement submitted by the warden to the police, nowhere did he mention that the fight broke out over switching the television channel.

'The statement of the warden, which is available with The Sangai Express said that a quarrel broke out between Richard and another student, Vishal at about 8 pm.

At was at this time that another student, Afzal Ali joined and hit Richard on the face, said the warden in his report submitted to the police.

After this Richard went back to his room at about 10.30 pm and later at about 11.30 pm he came out to have water and even asked his room mate if he wanted water, the report of the warden to the police said.

The family members said that if the fracas broke out why wasn't the warden there to defuse the situation.

The quarrel took place on the second floor while the warden stays on the first floor.

This would have been enough to wake up anyone then, they maintained, hinting at a conspiracy of silence.

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