KOCHI: The CBI Court in Kochi will examine defence evidence in the sensational Nedumbassery human trafficking case from October 28.
According to CBI officers, the defence counsel has submitted a list of seven witnesses who have to be examined by the court.
"The examination of prosecution witness and other evidence has been completed. Similarly, proceedings under CrPC 313 were also completed. Under CrPC 313, a questionnaire was issued to the accused and their statements were recorded. The trial of the case is nearing conclusion," a CBI officer said.
After completing the examination of defence evidence, the trial will enter the argument stage. Later, the court will post the case for pronouncing the judgment.
The trial, which began early this year, is being held in-camera at the CBI-I Court, Kochi. It is expected to end within two months. The accused facing trial are Suresh K V, Lissy Sojan, Sethu Lal, Anil Kumar, Bindhu, Santha, Maneesh A P, Sudharman, Varghese Raphael, Kabeer P K, Siraj, P A Rafeeq, S Mustafa and Thahir.
The case pertains to the alleged trafficking of women to brothels in Muscat, Sharjah and Dubai by the accused.
The incident came to light after a Kazhakootam native arrived in Mumbai after escaping from the clutches of sex racketeers in Sharjah in 2013. Authorities in Mumbai handed over the victim to the police at Nedumbassery, who initiated the probe. The case, initially probed by the Crime Branch, was later handed over to the CBI.