To:
Respected Prime minister,
We are writing for your kind attention towards the recent tragic death of Loitam Richard.
Richard was 19 years old, a first-year student from Manipur, who was pursuing Architecture Engineering at Archarya NRV School of Architecture, Bangalore.
We wish to share our shock and serious concerns over the incident of brutal assault which led to his tragic death. Many national news dailies initially had reported this incident as an aftermath of confrontation after the deceased Richard tried to switch off the television channel while his hostel inmates were watching the Indian Premier League match. However, Richard’s parents have been repeatedly challenged the media version and is for transparent disclosure of facts about this reported incident to the public. Media reports were not based on any evidence and they are still trying to twist the whole issue making it look like he was a party to his own murder. As a matter of fact, we, along with his family members, strongly condemn this unfair drama of broadcasting faked news .
Police investigation stated the possibility of a confrontation in which Richard was severely assaulted leading to the deceased succumbing to his injuries on the same night, the 17th of April, 2012.
There are strong evidences that the deceased suffered multiple assaults on his head and face. Photographic Images of the deceased Richard shows massive swelling and bleeding around his head, which have been substantiated by the preliminary post-mortem report which also indicated serious bleeding in his brain.
Witness to the assault states Richard had never retaliated but actually was pleading for the assault to end.
However, hostel mates and the warden who are resides in the same building stated that they didn't notice any signs of Richard for having any such sustained and serious injury until the next day when he was found unresponsive and succumbed to injury in a pool of blood in his bed.
We are appalled that the deceased’s parents were informed only at 3.30 pm on the 18th of April, many hours after the incident had happened and Richard had died.
We are very much concerned with Archarya NRV School of Architecture and the reporting by some news dailies who we believe have attempted to cover up and rush to conclusion by shamefully linking Richard’s death to drug abuse, and an injury sustained during a road traffic accident which the doctor had examined and discharged as minor injury a few days before.
We believe that the Archarya NRV School of Architecture have not been forthcoming in investigating the crime along with the Karnataka Police who have stated that it could be an accidental death.
We, the signatories are obliged to write to you as we believe there is a lack of co-operation, fair, thorough investigation and reporting of the tragic incident.
We request you to please exercise the power and responsibility bestowed upon you by the Constitution and initiate a transparent ‘thorough’ enquiry into this unfortunate incident and questionable handling of this case. We would urge upon you to investigate for possible ‘aggravating’ issues that could have exaggerated the violent assault leading to the death.
We believe only such a fair investigation carried out with the utmost respect to the bereaved family can only impart that justice that Richard and his family deserves.
We strongly believe such justice would create a sense of fairness in this country where citizens regardless of their race and ethnicity feel secured, protected and thereby enhance and consolidate their trust in the institutions of the country.
Loitam Richard in the last few days has inspired and endowed on us a ‘beautiful platform’ where thousands of citizens of India and well wishers from other countries have come together, with an aim for fair justice to prevail and promote harmony in the country.
We reiterate and request you to exercise full authority and responsibility, bring justice and let our vision be realised with Richard leaving a legacy for the nation.
Thanking you.
Sincerely,
The Petition Signers
Supporters (Your Signature Matters!, Ask one friend to sign.)