Kochi: Ameer ul-Islam, accused in the Jisha murder case, has requested the court a chance to talk to his relatives in Assam.
He made the request after the case was transferred to the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court as per provisions under the Prevention of Atrocities against dalit's law. He was produced to the court as his previous remand period had expired. His remand was further extended to June 27.
Judge N Anilkumar asked those concerned to submit a request to allow Ameer to talk to his relatives and asked advocate P Rajan, who had been entrusted by the Magistrate Court to appear for the accused, to continue as counsel of the accused. District Public Prosecutor P K Sajivan said that he did not have any issues if Ameer talked to his relatives provided it was within the ambit of jail norms. He also requested the court to hear what the police had to say when the request is considered.
As Ameer has been charged with dalit abuse, the time to submit a chargesheet has now been reduced to 60 days. If the chargesheet is not submitted in 60 days, the accused is eligible for bail. In cases that do not fall under dalit abuse, the chargesheet has to be submitted in 90 days. The investigation team would seek legal advice to ensure that this provision of the law does not become favorable to the accused.