Post-mortem examination of Surat gangrape accused, who died in police custody, points to physical injuries

On Friday, a panel of four doctors of the Forensic Medicine Department (FMD) of New Civil Hospital (NCH) carried out the post-mortem to find injury marks on both his legs, thighs, ankle area, and the back.

Earlier, the diagnostic report from the Primary Health Centre where Chaurasia was taken on Thursday morning said that he had hurt himself after he fell down while running away from police personnel who were chasing him.

Talking to the Indian Express, Head of FMD, NCH Surat, Dr Chandresh Tailor said, “We have not yet come to any conclusion about the cause of the death but we have observed that the lumen of coronary artery got narrowed which may have caused the heart attack and resulted in the death. The viscera samples have been taken from the body and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further tests.”

He further said, “There were seven to eight injury marks on different parts of both the legs. Besides, there are abrasions and bruises on both calves, thighs and back portion of Chaurasia.”

Entire post-mortem examination was videographed, as this is a custodial death case, he said.

Surat District Superintendent of police Hitesh Joyser had set up an inquiry into Chaurasia’s death. I Z Patel, Deputy Superintendent of police, Surat Rural, police headquarters, who has been assigned the task, earlier told The Indian Express, “I will check how the incident happened and also collect medical reports of the cause of the death along with other details. It would take around 60 days to prepare the entire report, which will be handed over to the superintendent of police.”

Chaurasia was arrested on Wednesday afternoon by Surat rural police along with another accused, Munna Paswan. The third accused was arrested on Friday.

After he complained of chest pain and breathlessness, Chaurasia was rushed to the government health centre at Vav in Kamrej at 1pm on Thursday. He was shifted to Surat NCH at 2.30 pm, where he was declared dead by doctors at 4 pm.

Meanwhile, the victim continues to remain in the hospital. An official from the hospital said, “Besides treating her for physical injuries, she is also being provided with psychiatric help. She is in a stable condition at present.”

On Tuesday night, the teenager, heading home with a 22-year-old friend, was beaten up and gang-raped by three men.

The police registered an offence under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with rape and other charges. Besides, sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act were also invoked in the case.