Today’s Current Affairs: Kerala High Court Upholds Death Sentence for Jisha’s Murderer
In today’s current affairs, the Kerala High Court confirmed the death sentence for Muhammed Ameer-ul-Islam, who was convicted of the brutal rape and murder of law student Jisha in 2016. The Division Bench of Justices PB Suresh Kumar and S Manu expressed their hope that this severe penalty would act as a deterrent against such heinous crimes in the future. The Court took into account the gruesome nature of the crime and the impact on society, particularly on women, when confirming the death sentence. Ameer-ul-Islam was found guilty based on strong DNA evidence and a multitude of circumstantial proof. This landmark judgment aims to serve justice and restore a sense of security in society.
Question 1
What was the verdict given by the Kerala High Court to Muhammed Ameer-ul-Islam?
– Life imprisonment
– Death sentence
– Acquittal
– Reduced sentence
Answer: Death sentence
Question 2
Who were the Justices on the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court that confirmed the death sentence?
– Justice PB Suresh Kumar and Justice S Manu
– Justice A K Mathur and Justice P S Narayana
– Justice V R Krishna Iyer and Justice Fathima Beevi
– Justice B K Mukherjee and Justice S H Kapadia
Answer: Justice PB Suresh Kumar and Justice S Manu
Question 3
What was the societal impact of the crime according to the Kerala High Court?
– Financial instability
– Profound fear and vulnerability
– Increased trust in public institutions
– Economic growth
Answer: Profound fear and vulnerability
Question 4
What was Ameerul’s background as stated in the article?
– Local farmer from Kerala
– Migrant worker from Assam
– Businessman from Delhi
– Government official from Tamil Nadu
Answer: Migrant worker from Assam
Question 5
What type of evidence played a crucial role in the court’s decision?
– Direct eye witness testimonies
– Surveillance footage
– Mediated evidence
– Circumstantial and DNA evidence
Answer: Circumstantial and DNA evidence
Question 6
What was the identity of the victim, Jisha?
– A law enforcement officer
– A law student from Ernakulam Government Law College
– A school teacher
– A businesswoman
Answer: A law student from Ernakulam Government Law College
Question 7
When was the trial court verdict convicting Ameerul given?
– December 2017
– April 2016
– May 2015
– June 2018
Answer: December 2017
Question 8
What additional request did Ameerul make while appealing his conviction?
– To reduce his sentence to life imprisonment
– To re-investigate by a central agency
– To shift his case to another state
– To pardon him due to good behavior
Answer: To re-investigate by a central agency
Question 9
Who were appointed by the High Court to assist with the process of sentencing?
– Two lawyers
– Two mitigation investigators from Project 39A
– Two forensic experts
– Two police officers
Answer: Two mitigation investigators from Project 39A
Question 10
Which Nobel Laureate’s statement did the Court mention in its judgment?
– Albert Einstein
– Mother Teresa
– Alexander Solzhenitsyn
– Nelson Mandela
Answer: Alexander Solzhenitsyn
What did the Kerala High Court decide about Muhammed Ameer-ul-Islam’s death sentence?
The Kerala High Court confirmed the death sentence given to Muhammed Ameer-ul-Islam, who was convicted of raping and murdering a law student named Jisha in 2016. The judges said they made this decision with heavy hearts but hoped it would deter others from committing similar crimes.
Who were the judges involved in this case?
Justices PB Suresh Kumar and S Manu were the judges who made the decision to confirm the death sentence. They expressed their hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to future crimes.
Why did the Court confirm the death sentence for Ameerul?
The Court considered the extremely brutal nature of the crime and the fact that Jisha belonged to a scheduled caste community. They also noted how the crime affected society, causing fear and outrage, especially among women.
What was the Court’s sentiment while delivering the judgment?
While delivering the judgment, the Court expressed that it was with a heavy heart that they upheld the death sentence. They quoted Nobel Laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn, saying “Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience, but the conscience of the whole humanity,” emphasizing the broader impact of their decision.
What did the Court say about the impact of such crimes on society?
The Court noted that crimes like this one have a profound and far-reaching impact on society. They cause fear and a sense of vulnerability, particularly among women, and erode trust in institutions meant to ensure public safety. These crimes also lead to public outrage and demands for reforms.
What happened on April 28, 2016?
Jisha, a law student, was found dead in her house on April 28, 2016. Her body was mutilated. The investigation pointed to Ameerul, a migrant worker, who allegedly committed the crime after breaking into her house in a drunken state the night before.
What was the trial court’s decision in 2017?
In December 2017, the trial court found Ameerul guilty of rape, murder, and other offences under the Indian Penal Code. He was sentenced to death.
What did Ameerul do after the trial court’s decision?
Ameerul appealed to the High Court, challenging his conviction and sentence. He also sought a re-investigation by a central agency.
What was the prosecution’s case against Ameerul?
The prosecution argued that Ameerul entered Jisha’s house with the intention to rape her. When she resisted, he bit, strangled, stabbed, mutilated, and eventually killed her.
What kind of evidence did the Court rely on to find Ameerul guilty?
The Court relied on circumstantial evidence and strong DNA evidence. This included Jisha’s clothes that had Ameerul’s blood and saliva, Jisha’s nail clippings with Ameerul’s blood and tissue, and blood stains on the door that matched Ameerul’s DNA.
What were the reports and judgments the Court considered in its decision?
The Court reviewed mitigation reports from investigators from Project 39A at the National Law University, Delhi. They also went through multiple judgments from the Supreme Court to understand the evolution of death sentence jurisprudence.
What was the final decision of the High Court regarding Ameerul’s appeal?
After considering all aspects, the Court decided to dismiss Ameerul’s appeal and confirm his death sentence.
In a significant development in today's current affairs, the Kerala High Court confirmed the death sentence of Muhammed Ameer-ul-Islam for the brutal rape and murder of law student Jisha in 2016. The court, led by Justices PB Suresh Kumar and S Manu, expressed their decision with a heavy heart, hoping it would serve as a strong deterrent against such heinous crimes.
On the morning of April 28, 2016, Jisha's mutilated body was discovered in her home at Perumbavoor. Ameerul, a migrant worker from Assam, was convicted of the horrifying crime and faced the death sentence in December 2017. Moving an appeal for reconsideration, Ameerul sought relief, but today's verdict reaffirmed the trial court's decision.
The case was notably upheld based on extensive circumstantial evidence and DNA proof linking Ameerul to the crime scene. The High Court highlighted the profound societal impact of such crimes, emphasizing a multifaceted approach to justice to restore public trust and safety. The judgment serves as a grim reminder of the stakes involved in ensuring justice for victims of such atrocious acts.
In one of the precedent-setting aspects, the court had also appointed mitigation investigators to aid in the sentencing process, reflecting evolving jurisprudence in handling death penalty cases. Today's current affairs now mark the somber closure of a case that has deeply affected public conscience and demanded robust judicial action.
