No surprises in Ram Singh's autopsy report

Ram Singh’s death was due to hanging according to the initial post-mortem performed on the body on Tuesday, even though his family has alleged murder. “There were no injuries, and his clothes were intact,” sources told DNA indicating that he had not suffered any injuries prior to being hanged.

Singh was found dead early Monday morning at Tihar Jail where he was awaiting trial in the Delhi gang rape. The post-mortem was done on Tuesday at AIIMS by a group of five doctors. No one apart from the doctors was present during the examination. In a preliminary report, Tihar Jail authorities told the fast track court, “The body was seen hanging at 5.25 am. The doctor of the jail was informed at 5.40 am and the accused was declared dead at 5.45 am.”

Hospital sources dismissed allegations made by Ram Singh’s lawyer and family that his body had injuries. Manoj Tomar, his lawyer had said, “I had seen injuries on his mouth, his shoulder which was swollen and there was an injury on his lip”. However, hospital sources said the body was decomposed and because of that could have appeared bluish which the lawyer may have mistaken for injuries.

While the post-mortem report cannot determine if it was a suicide, hospital sources are of the opinion that it is unlikely that hanging could mean anything other than suicide. They also added that his arm was fit for work. “In any case he had been using his hand while driving,” they said, dismissing doubts that he could not have hung himself because of the condition of his arm.

The report is ready to be dispatched to the magistrate. This is amidst allegations by lawyers and his family that this was a case of murder. “He was satisfied with the proceedings of the case and was not depressed. This is a case of murder,” Tomar said.

@ihskaa