KOCHI: The Ernakulam Additional Assistant Sessions court has issued an arrest warrant against Shobha John and Anil Kumar, the main accused in the case in which Sabarimala Thantri Kandararu Mohanaru was blackmailed. After splitting up the case, Judge E C Harigovindan adjourned the trial to September 6. The court will try the prime witness Thantri Kandararu Mohanaru on that day.First accused Shobha John is absconding now as her role in the the Varappuzha sex scandal is being investigated. The third accused Anil Kumar and fifth accused Ashif of Kasargod are also absconding. The Arrest warrant issued against Ashif earlier has not been executed yet and the bail bonds of Shobha and Anil were cancelled.There are 11 accused in the chargesheet filed by the Ernakulam Central Police. Vijil, Abdul Rahman alias Bachu Rahman, Abdul Sahad, Abdul Sathar, Majeed, Shereef, Biji Peter and Asees will face the first phase of the trial.However, Bachu Rehman had been exempted from personal appearance on Thursday.In the morning the court issued production warrant against second accused Vijil, who is in Aluva Sub Jail in connection with Varappuzha sex scandal, and he was produced before the court at 2.30 p.m. Though the trial proceedings began in the afternoon session, Vijil sought some more time to engage an advocate. The court allowed him time till September 3.According to the prosecution, the accused had hatched a conspiracy and threatened Thantri Kandaru Mohanaru by pointing a gun in the Link Lexman 4C Flat in Kochi and seized his ornaments in 2006. The team had also demanded Rs 30 lakh from the Thantri after taking his photographs along with a woman in compromising positions.Meanwhile, the prosecution requested to conduct an in-camera examination of Kandararu Mohanaru and Shantha, the first and second witnesses respectively.“During the investigation, the media had sensationalised the issue. At the time of cross examination there is every possibility to ask question related to moral and personal character of the witness, which will make the fair trial in the open court not conducive,” the prosecutor advocate P G Manu submitted.He also submitted that it may harm sentiments of Hindu community, which consider Sabarimala and its Thantri in sacred position.However, counsel for accused Victor Antony strongly opposed the submission and contended that the public have the right to know what is happening in the trial.
Comments
0 comment