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Journalist Death Trial: Key Eyewitness Recants
5 Aug
Summary
- Trial adjourned as prosecution witness failed to appear in court.
- Key eyewitness turned hostile, could not identify the driver.
- Another witness identified the IAS officer as the driver.
The trial for the 2019 road accident that led to the death of senior journalist K M Basheer has been adjourned to Thursday. This decision came after a crucial prosecution witness did not appear before the first additional sessions court. The court anticipates examining three more witnesses when the hearing resumes.
This adjournment follows a significant development where a key eyewitness, an autorickshaw driver, changed his testimony. He informed the court that he could not identify who was driving the car involved in the accident and denied knowing the accused IAS officer. The witness stated his earlier statements to police were made based on their suggestions.
Previously, another eyewitness had identified the IAS officer, Sreeram Venkitaraman, as the driver of the car. This witness testified that the vehicle was traveling at over 100kmph before crashing into Basheer's motorcycle, causing fatal injuries. The prosecution also noted that summons are pending for two witnesses residing abroad and in Delhi.
