Ameerul Islam, an accused in the murder and rape of a Dalit law student at Perumbavoor, has approached the Principal District and Sessions Judge, (Ernakulam), to discharge him from the case following a report of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).
He also filed similar petitions with the Chief Justice of Kerala and the Chief Minister.
Jacob Thomas, VACB Director, had earlier filed a report to Nalini Netto, the Additional Chief Secretary, stating that there were lapses in the investigation of the case. The trial in the rape case is being held in camera as mandated by Section 327 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The code elaborates that “it shall not be lawful for any person to print or publish any matter in relation to any such proceedings, except with the previous permission of the court.”
Section 228 A of the Indian Penal Code prescribes punishment up to two years and fine for those who “print or publish the name or any matter which may make known the identity” of the victim in a rape case.
The accused has also sought a direction from the court to the VACB to produce the report. The court will consider the plea on Wednesday.
