NHRC notice to Kerala govt over Dalit student rape, murder

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the government of Kerala over the gruesome rape and murder of a Dalit law student in Ernakulam.

The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about yet another Nirbhaya-like rape and murder of a Dalit law student whose body was found by her mother on April 29 evening, in Ernakulam. "The crime is so spine-chilling and gruesome that words fall short and expressing anguish and shock appear meaningless and mere ritualistic. It is a matter of utmost concern that women's security is facing grave threat in spite of several measures taken in the recent times including amendment in Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act," the Commission said in a statement.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, government of Kerala as well as the Superintendent of Police, Ernakulam Rural at Aluva.

They have been asked to submit a detailed report on the incident and action taken in the matter within two weeks. According to media reports, the 29-year-old woman was murdered, after being raped inside her home, near an isolated stretch, at Vattolippidi Canal Bund near Perumbavoor in District Ernakulam, Kerala.

Her body, found lying in a pool of blood, had at least 30 injuries, including in the private parts.