Law Student Rape and Murder
The mutilated corpse of the victim, a law student from Government Law College, Ernakulam, was found in her house at Perumbavoor on the morning of April 28, 2016. The incident provoked mass outrage amongst the student fraternity and human rights activists across the state. The case also acquired a casteist undertone, as Jisha’s family lamented their apparent ill-treatment by neighbours in the area.
Online social media campaigns launched by student activists played a crucial role in mobilizing reactions and mounting pressure on the government to bring the guilty to account.
Ameer-ul-Islam, a migrant worker from Assam, was eventually hauled up and accused of having committed the crime after he broke into the victim’s house in a drunken stupor the night before. He was arrested in July 2016 at Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
The trial, which had commenced in April 2016 at the Ernakulam Sessions Court, concluded in December 2017.
Islam was found guilty by the trial court based on DNA evidence and testimony offered by witnesses. Special Judge N Anilkumar sentenced him to death, noting that given the brutality of the crime and the profound impact it has had on people, the case was fit to be termed as one falling within the rarest of the rare cases.
Ameerul was also sentenced to four terms of rigorous imprisonment that were to run concurrently. He is currently lodged at the Central Prison in Viyyoor, Kerala.
However, he recently moved a plea before the Supreme Court seeking transfer from Kerala to a jail in Assam. The top court issued notice and sought the response of the State governments of Kerala and Assam. The plea for prison transfer is likely to be heard next in January 2023.
Source: Barandbench
