TIRUPATI:The police spin on firing in self-defence at 20 Tamil Nadu loggers suffered a body blow Wednesday as post-mortem reports revealed the bullets that caused their death were shot from a very close range.
The slugs pierced vital organs of the victims which led to their death, medical sources said after forensic experts conducted the post-mortem at Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital here. The bodies, brought to the hospital in the wee hours, had started decomposing by then as they were reportedly kept in sunlight for hours at the encounter site.
Because of this, the forensic team faced problems during the autopsy, an official said. The autopsy found major organs of the victims were badly injured with gunshot wounds, while the limbs were also found to have injuries. In one body, two bullets were found in the chest and four on the back.
According to sources, top administration officials and hospital authorities were involved in making arrangements for the post-mortem since 2 am in order to complete the exercise by 2 pm so that the bodies could be handed over to the relatives latest by 4 pm. The experts began the post-mortem at 9 am. Five doctors and 10 supporting staff were drafted in for the work.
“The postmortem team comprised three surgeons from the forensic, pathology and general surgery departments,” said a senior medical officer. After examining the bodies. the team concluded the victims were shot from a ‘very close range’.