Yannick’s father submits medical report; clears way for murder trial

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 2

Nestor Ntibateganya, father of Burundi national Yannick Nihangaza, has sent the medical report and death certificate of his deceased son to the Burundi embassy. This means that a murder trial can soon be initiated against the Jalandhar youths who had orchestrated an attack on Yannick in 2012.

Once the medical report reaches the Punjab Police from the Burundi embassy, the police — after examining the medical report — are likely to start a murder trial against the arrested seven youths.

They were otherwise convicted for 10-year rigorous imprisonment by the Jalandhar court because at the time the conviction was announced, Yannick was alive.

The Jalandhar police, despite being aware of Yannick’s death in Burundi, had cited legal impediments that were stopping them from initiating a murder trial.

The police had been stating that if the medical report of Yannick confirmed that he died of the same injuries which were inflicted by the Jalandhar youth during the brawl, then a supplementary challan under Section 302 of IPC would be filed to start a murder trial.

DCP, Jalandhar, Rajinder Singh said that the police were yet to get the medical report and death certificate. “If we get the medical report, we will examine it and get a legal opinion. If Yannick died of the same injuries, a supplementary challan can be filed to start murder trial in the case,” he said.