KOCHI: The trial of the 2017 actor abduction and assault case is likely to be prolonged further after the prosecution on Thursday sought the reopening of the evidence. The Ernakulam District Principal Sessions Court adjourned the examination of the accused persons after the prosecution sought the reopening of the evidence.
The court decided to adjourn the procedure conducted under CrPC Section 313, to Friday. The trial in the sensational case has been going on since January 2020.
After completing the witness examination and closing the evidence earlier this month, the court posted the case for examining the accused persons under Section 313 on Thursday. All the nine accused persons, including Pulsar Suni and actor Dileep, were present in court as directed.
However, the prosecution filed a petition seeking the reopening of evidence, a move that sources said was taken so that five of its witnesses could be called and examined again.
The prosecution’s stand is that some witnesses gave additional statements to the police as part of further investigation into the case that was held while the trial was going on.
It said these witnesses had to be examined again before conducting the procedure under Section 313. The court also asked the defence counsels to file any objections they might have against reopening the evidence.
“Since the prosecution filed a petition for reopening prosecution evidence, questioning under Section 313(1)(b) of CrPC is adjourned to September 27,” read the entry in the court diary.
The court also noted that Pulsar Suni was yet to furnish details of the SIM card he was using, which is one of his bail conditions. He was ordered to furnish the details on Friday.
As part of CrPC Section 313, the court will individually question each accused person on the basis of evidence that emerged during the witness examination. After this, the court will examine defence witnesses if there are any before argument and the final hearing.
It was on February 2017 that the survivor, an actor, was abducted while travelling from Thrissur to Kochi and sexually assaulted in a moving car.
