The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Wednesday directed the authorities to perform an autopsy on the body of the deceased T Rakesh within a period of seven days.
MHRC took up a suo-moto case in connection with the killing of T Rakesh who was allegedly shot dead inside the DMU campus in Imphal West. The suo-moto was taken up, based on a news report published by the Imphal Free Press with the headline, ‘Manipur: Businessman shot dead inside DMU Campus’.
The Commission stated that the family members of the deceased and the fellow neighbors have the right to know the cause of death, citing that the right to information is a human right.
Following the hearing, the Commission directed authority to carry out the autopsy, so that the family and the wife of the deceased can know the cause of the death.
The SP of Imphal West was also directed to ask the OC Imphal Police Station under which jurisdiction the deceased Rakesh was either killed or died to appear before this Commission on February 23 along with the relevant records i.e FIR case /UD case positively.
The SP Imphal West was also directed to take up the matter with the director, RIMS, for the performance of the autopsy on the corpse/body of the deceased.
The IFP had reported that Takhellambam Rakesh, 47, Son of Ibochou was a resident of Yaiskul Chingakham Leirak, Imphal West. He reportedly worked as an LIC Agent and also running an optical store called ‘Indira Optical’ at RIMS road.
He was survived by his wife, son and a daughter. Body of Rakesh with a bullet injury was found near the girl’s hostel of GP Women College located inside DM University Campus under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West on February 17.
It was reported that around 8 am, he left for work on his Tata Nexon at Indra Optical. He left the store to deliver money for a chit fund around 12 noon. He carried a few lakh with him when he left the store. The Tata Nexon was found parked near the spot where his body was found. His personal .32 license gun was found placed on his chest.
An empty case was found near the body. After the crime scene was investigated by a team of State Forensic Science Laboratory, a team of Imphal Police Station picked and deposited the body at RIMS Mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Police have raised suspicion that his death might be related to the money he carried with him.
In connection with the incident, general secretary of Business Excellence Group, Anand Sapam told the media at the residence of Rakesh on Saturday evening that members of the group testified to the good behavior and manners of T Rakesh.
The members of the group strongly disagreed with any possibility of Rakesh committing suicide. He said that the state government should investigate the matter thoroughly to ascertain the facts behind the death of Rakesh.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) was formed in connection with the death of Takhellambam Rakesh. JAC refused to claim the body until the culprits involved in the crime are apprehended.
