A postmortem report has confirmed that Ashraf, a mentally challenged man from Kerala who was allegedly beaten to death by members of a Hindu right-wing group in April, suffered 35 external injuries.
Ashraf was attacked during a cricket tournament in Kudupu near Mangaluru after he was accused of shouting “Pakistan Zindabad.” The police initially registered the case as an “unnatural death,” claiming that he fell while under the influence of alcohol.
However, the autopsy tells a different story. The report, completed on July 15, stated that Ashraf’s death was the “cumulative effect” of multiple wounds. “All injuries are fresh and antemortem in nature, sustained due to blunt force impact,” the report said.
Forensic expert Dr. K. S. Rashmi, who conducted the postmortem, confirmed, “The pattern of injuries described in the post-mortem report could be caused by the articles like the one examined.”
Ashraf had bruises on his back, swelling around his eyes, cuts on his face, and tramline marks on his thighs and buttocks. The report also mentioned severe internal bleeding and shock caused by deep injuries to his head, limbs, and genitals.
According to reports, the mob, allegedly led by Ravindra Nayak, husband of BJP corporator Sangeetha Nayak, used cricket bats and wooden sticks to attack Ashraf until he collapsed.
Rights groups have rejected the claim that Ashraf raised any slogan. A fact-finding report titled Lost Fraternity: A Mob Lynching in Broad Daylight stated that the “Pakistan Zindabad” narrative was fabricated to justify the attack. The report also criticised the authorities for their lack of action.
