In yet another twist in the sensational Jisha murder case, the defence lawyer in the case filed a petition in the court seeking to stop the trial proceedings.
The lawyer BA Aloor, citing the report submitted by the Vigilance and Anti- Corruption Bureau, on Tuesday said that the investigation conducted so far in the case was not in the right direction. The VACB on Saturday had submitted a report to the government citing lapses in the investigation by Special Investigation Teams (SITs) headed by ADGPs. The 16-page report, citing lapses in the investigation, was submitted by VACB director Jacob Thomas to the government.
Manorama Online quoted Aloor as saying "The vigilance has raised serious doubts about the probe and even questioned whether Ameer was indeed the culprit.” The lawyer also said that he will file a complaint with the chief justice and governor. The probe into the death was first conducted by an SIT led by ADGP Padmakumar when the United Democratic Front (UDF) was in power. After the Left Democratic Front came to power, a fresh probe was initiated. The SIT appointed by the LDF was headed by ADGP Sandhya.
A 1,500 page charge sheet was submitted in the case. Police had conducted six scientific tests, collected 75 pieces of material evidence, 125 documents and taken statements of around 105 people. Jisha, a Dalit law student hailing from Perumbavur in Eranakulam was murdered on April 28, 2016. The accused Ameer ul Islam, a migrant labourer, was arrested in June.