Injuries on Sreejith’s body caused by rolling heavy log? Forensic expert says unlikely

Dr Sherly Vasu, former Forensic Surgeon said that it was unlikely the injuries had anything to do with Uruttal.
Injuries on Sreejith’s body caused by rolling heavy log? Forensic expert says unlikely
Injuries on Sreejith’s body caused by rolling heavy log? Forensic expert says unlikely
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Are the injuries found on the body of Sreejith who died due to alleged custodial torture in Kerala, similar to that of Uruttal?

Uruttal is the practice of "rolling" a heavy wooden log over the body of an accused - a method of torture that is allegedly practiced by the police. The deaths caused by the brutal torture are referred to as Urutti Kola in the state.

On Tuesday, reports suggested that the alleged custodial torture of Sreejith could be due to Uruttal, based on the nature of injuries found on both his thighs according to the post-mortem report.

“Abrasion 1.5x0.2cm obliquely placed on the front of middle of right thigh 25.5 cm below anterior his prominence. Contusion 24x3-6cm on the front and outer aspect of middle and lower third of right thigh with its upper extent 18 cm below anterior his prominence. Contusion 20x4-9 cm on the front and outer aspect of upper and middle third of left thigh its upper extent 15.5 cm below anterior his prominence,” the post-mortem report says.

However, Dr Sherly Vasu, former Forensic Surgeon said that it was unlikely the injuries had anything to do with Uruttal. “Injuries mentioned in the report are not caused by Uruttal. It’s not clear in the report whether the injuries are vertical, horizontal… but there should be a photograph or videograph. If a person is subjected to Uruttal, that part would seem heavier with the swelling. The injuries won’t be visible outside, which is precisely the purpose of Uruttal that the injuries should not become visible. From the injuries, it seems that he was compressed as if between two chairs,” she said.

She added, “Some reports say that his intestines were broken after getting beaten in the stomach. But going through the timeline of the case, that can’t be the cause of his death. If there is injury inside the stomach, it will take at least 48 hours for even the symptoms to appear and the injury would be as small as one caused by a needle. The investigating officers should give particular attention to this fact in the case, how and when the stomach injury occurred.” 

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded a CBI probe into the case.

“The death of Sreejith was caused by torture which is similar to that in Urutti Kola. It’s to sabotage the investigation that there has been no arrest even a week after the case was registered. In this case, both CPI(M) and the police are accused. It would be appropriate if the case is probed by the CBI against the backdrop of criticism raised against the investigating officers. People have lost faith in the investigation,” Chennithala alleged in his statement.

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