Rape-cum-murder case: SC stays execution of death sentence awarded to convict
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to a man convicted for raping and murdering a 30-year-old law student in Kerala in 2016.
A bench headed by Justice B R Gavai passed the order while hearing the convict's plea challenging the Kerala High Court's May 20 verdict that upheld his conviction and confirmed the death sentence handed to him by a trial court.
"The execution of the death sentence shall remain stayed pending the hearing and final disposal of the present appeal," the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and K V Viswanathan, said in its order passed on July 16.
The high court had confirmed the death sentence awarded to Muhammed Ameer-Ul-Islam, a migrant labourer who was 22 years of age at the time of the incident in April 2016.
It had noted in its verdict that the facts were deeply disturbing and "represent an egregious violation of human dignity and sanctity of life, for after committing rape in an inhumane manner, the victim has also been murdered horrendously".
According to the prosecution, the convict had barged into the victim's house on April 28, 2016 with an intention to rape her and when she resisted, he attacked her with a knife and inflicted injuries upon her.
The prosecution further said the convict had escaped to his home state Assam the following day and was arrested in June 2016.
In its order, the apex court said the original case record be summoned from the trial court and the high court.
The bench directed that the State shall place before it the reports of all the probation officers relating to the appellant within eight weeks.
Besides passing other directions, it said the superintendent of prison, Central Prison and Correctional Home, Viyyur, shall submit within eight weeks a report regarding the nature of work performed by the appellant while in jail and a report with regard to his conduct and behaviour while in prison.
"The Government Medical College, Thrissur shall constitute a suitable team for the purpose of carrying out a psychological evaluation of the appellant," it said, adding that the report of the evaluation be submitted before it within eight weeks.
The top court has posted the matter for further hearing after 12 weeks.
In its judgment, the high court had said, "Before parting with the case, it is necessary to observe that it is with a heavy heart that we uphold the ultimate penalty of death sentence to the accused in the case."
"We hope and fervently believe that this judgment would serve as a resolute deterrent to those who would consider perpetrating such abhorrent acts in future, so that persons similarly placed like the victim, who are innumerable in our society, would live with a sense of security and without fear," it had observed.
The trial court had convicted the man for offences punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including that of rape and murder, and sentenced him to death.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
