Date:02/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030225140300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Lockup killing: warrant against witness

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: The Additional District and Sessions (fast track-IV) judge, M.R. Anitha, on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Suresh Kumar, the key prosecution witness in the sensational Udayakumar lockup murder case. Three policemen are listed as accused in the case.

The warrant was issued after Suresh Kumar's counsel pleaded inability to produce the witness in court. Earlier, the court rejected the plea that Suresh Kumar could not appear in court because he was in hospital. It directed the lawyer to produce his client in one hour. The court adjourned for an hour in the morning. When it convened again, Suresh Kumar's lawyer pleaded that he had no knowledge about his client's whereabouts.

Special Prosecutor K.K. Vijayan urged the court to issue an arrest warrant against Suresh Kumar. He said there was the possibility that the witness influenced by the persons named as accused in the case.

The lawyers defending the accused policemen opposed the demand for an arrest warrant against Suresh Kumar. However, the court upheld the contention of Mr. Vijayan. The Police Crime Branch has been ordered to execute the warrant at the earliest. The court will hear the case again on Friday.

Suresh Kumar had identified the main accused in the case from among 30 persons at an identification parade conducted by a magistrate during the investigation. The Crime Branch had also recorded Suresh Kumar's statement before a magistrate.