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Kochi : The special court for considering cases involving atrocities against women and children in Ernakulam on Monday reserved its order in the criminal appeals against the bail granted to the 17-year-old juvenile involved in the Cheranalloor accident. Earlier, the court had directed the cyberpolice to remove content identifying the juvenile accused from social media and the cyber police have reported to the court that action is being taken. Meanwhile, the SIT will investigate the complaint filed by Bhadrakeerthy accusing the father of the juvenile, a sessions judge, of destruction of evidence in the case.
Earlier, Bhadrakeerthy R J, the daughter of the deceased Jayabalakrishnan, had told the media that the family lacked confidence in the prosecution. A dramatic situation prevailed in the court as the prosecution and counsel for the victim’s family exchanged allegations in the court. The judge later decided to conduct further proceedings in camera considering the involvement of a child in conflict with the law. The court observed that it was a serious matter and sought clarification on whether such interference had indeed occurred. Adv M G Sreejith, counsel for the family, accused the prosecution of non-cooperation while denying the allegation.
The court noted that the special public prosecutor had been serving in the court for seven years and observed that any grievances should have been raised before the court. Sreejith later downplayed the matter before the media, saying that the family and the prosecution have the same objective. The court is likely to pass an order on Thursday. The prosecutor on Monday raised the issue before the court, accusing the victim’s family of interfering with the independent investigation through contradictory statements to the media.