Thiruvananthapuram: A key witness in the sensational road accident death case of Siraj journalist K M Basheer on Monday gave his statement before the Additional District and Sessions Court, stating that IAS officer Sriram Venkataraman, under the influence of alcohol, had rammed Basheer’s bike, resulting in his death. Sriram is the sole accused in the case pertaining to the death of Basheer in the early hours of August 3, 2019.
The fifth witness in the case, Manikandan, testified that he saw the car that later hit Basheer traveling at a dangerously high speed. Seeing the vehicle navigate the Vellayambalam roundabout recklessly with a loud sound, he pulled over his autorickshaw, Manikandan told the court. The car then sped past his autorickshaw and headed toward the Public Office.
Manikandan identified Sriram as the person behind the wheel and stated that when Sriram got out of the car post-accident, it was apparent that he was drunk. Manikandan, an auto driver by profession, has been listed as the fifth witness. Meanwhile, the police reported that summons could not be served to the second, third, and fourth witnesses as they are currently abroad.
Basheer Death Case: Wife Moves HC Against Trial Transfer
Kochi: Jaseela C of Malappuram, wife of K M Basheer, the late Thiruvananthapuram bureau chief of Malayalam daily Siraj, moved the Kerala High Court on Monday seeking to quash an order transferring the case trial from the Additional District and Sessions Court-I, Thiruvananthapuram, to the Additional District and Sessions Court-IV.
The petition pointed out that the District and Sessions Judge ordered the transfer primarily because the senior defense counsel found it difficult to climb the stairs to the Additional District and Sessions Court-I due to advanced age, as the building lacks an elevator. Jaseela further contended that the prosecutor currently handling the case, appointed only in 2023, lacks sufficient experience to conduct a serious sessions trial involving nearly 100 witnesses and substantial documentary evidence.
She also sought a directive to the State to ensure the prosecution is handled by a senior prosecutor with proven credentials to ensure justice. The petition argued that such measures are vital given that the accused is a serving IAS officer who continues to exercise considerable influence, adding that allowing the trial to proceed under present conditions would reduce it to a mere farce.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com