The Kerala State Human Right Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday directed the State police to set up a panel of psychiatrists to examine Ameerul Islam, the prime accused in the murder case of a Dalit student at Perumbavoor.
Chairperson J.B. Koshy passed the order on the basis of a petition that Ameerul was not the real accused in the murder and the police, under severe pressure to solve the homicide, had foisted the case on him. The petitioners, all human rights activists, pointed out that Ameerul was conversant only in Assamese. The language barrier made it impossible for him to properly defend himself under interrogation. He could not even read or understand the confessional statement made out in his name by the police.
Ameerul was only 19 years old. He was tortured severely in police custody to make him confess to the crime, the petitioners said.
The custodial duress had marred his health. His impoverished family in Assam was hard-pressed to defend him.
Mr. Koshy said in his order that the petitioners were free to move their submission in the High Court and National Human Rights Commission.
