RMLNLU student dies under mysterious circumstances in Kerala

Satnam Singh Mann, 24 hailing from Gaya district in Bihar was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the Mental Health Centre, Thiruvanthapuram on August 4, 2012.The approximate time of death was five p.m. Singh was in the news a few days back for allegedly trying to attack spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi at her ashram in Kollam..Satnam Singh Mann, 24 hailing from Gaya district in Bihar was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the Mental Health Centre, Thiruvanthapuram on August 4, 2012.The approximate time of death was five p.m. Singh was in the news a few days back for allegedly trying to attack spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi at her ashram in Kollam..Last week, Singh was charged with attempted murder, following which he was remanded to judicial custody to Kollam Sub-Jail. Subsequently, Singh was shifted to General Hospital and finally placed in the Mental Health Centre in Thiruvanthapuram..Singh was a law student at Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow but had not been attending classes for the past one year due to mental disorder..Mental Health Centre authorities have confirmed that Singh was attacked in his cell and an enquiry into this event is underway. It is alleged that Singh was manhandled by the security staff and other inmates at the Mental Health Centre. The fact that Singh’s body was brought from the Mental Health Centre to the Government Medical College after a significant delay has also raised many questions. Furthermore, Singh’s body was covered with injury marks, and hence torture can not be ruled out. Meanwhile, authorities at the Mental Health Centre allege that Singh was brought to the Centre by the police in a near unconscious state, reports vernacular news paper ‘Malayala Manorama’. Police officials have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an enquiry..The post-mortem report, released today evening, confirms that Singh died due to physical torture according to the Malayala Manorama..Parakram Kakkar, Singh’s close friend, speaking to Bar & Bench said, “I don’t know how to react. Satnam ran away from his home two months back. He was suffering from Bipolar disorder. Initially we were happy to know that he was there in Kerala. I cannot believe the authorities can be so insensitive. This is a clear case of torture. He was such a good soul. Another friend of Satnam is writing to the National Human Rights Commission on this today itself.” Some of his friends have already launched a facebook page titled ‘Justice for Satnam’..It is hoped that the authorities will not play a blame game here and bring out the real culprits.