The trial of the gang-rape of a medical student in Manipal last year began with the examination of two witnesses at the District and Sessions Court on Monday.
The medical student of Manipal University from Kerala was abducted in an autorickshaw and gang-raped near Manipal on the night of June 20, 2013.
The police arrested three suspects — Yogesh Poojary, Hariprasad Poojary and Anand — on June 27, 2013.
They also arrested Balachandra, brother of Yogesh, and Harindra, brother of Hariprasad, on the charge of trying to destroy evidence on July 2, 2013. However, Balachandra and Harindra were released on bail in December 2013.
T.S. Jituri, Public Prosecutor, told presspersons here on Monday that the (rape) victim and her friend were not present at the trial (on Monday) as they were appearing for their annual examinations.
Manipal University had pleaded that students be examined after their annual examinations, which ends on February 3.
Witnesses, K.S. Jaivittal, Estate Officer of Manipal University, and Suresh S., a security guard of the university, who was present at the spot when the victim was abducted, were examined in the court. After their examination, the hearing was adjourned to January 7.
The court summoned five witnesses to give evidence on Tuesday. There were a total of 106 witnesses in the case, Mr. Jituri said.
