COIMBATORE: While the trial in the sensational Muskan-Rithik murder case has neared completion, R Manoharan, the lone surviving accused, has sought a fresh trial of the case.
He petitioned the Mahila Court here stating that his previous counsel, appointed by the free legal aid cell, had sided with the prosecu-
tion and did not properly cross-examine the witnesses; hence a fresh trial sho-
uld be conducted to prove his innocence.
Recently, the legal aid cell had changed the panel advocate appointed for Manoharan after he levelled a few allegations. “We want to cross-examine all the witnesses once again. So, instead of calling for re-examination of some of the witnesses, we have decided to plead for a fresh trial. My client strongly feels that his previous counsel had not properly argued the case on his behalf,” said advocate S Rajendran, who is the Manoharan’s newly appointed counsel.
Manoharan is one of the two accused in the murder of siblings, R Muskan Jain (10) and R Rithik Jain (8), in October 2010. The prime accused Mohana Krishnan, along with whom Manoharan had allegedly kidnapped and murdered the kids was subsequently killed when he allegedly attempted to escape from the police custody. Manoharan, who has been under judicial custody for the last one-and-half year, is facing the trial in the Mahila Court here. The prosecution has also filed a counter petition opposing Manoharan’s petition. The arguments over Manoharan’s petition have been scheduled for Wednesday at the Mahila Court.