The time limit for the narco-analysis on Om Prakash and Puthenpalam Rajesh, the 15th and 16th accused in the Paul Muthoot George murder case, has been extended to November 30. The earlier deadline was November 6.
Ramankary Judicial First Class Magistrate, Subitha Chirakkal, on Thursday extended the timeframe after the Special Investigation Team probing the case submitted an application pointing out that the Ahmedabad Forensic Science Laboratory had allowed time for the test from November 3 to November 7. The court also allowed the SIT’s plea to take along a translator for Rajesh, since he did not know English or Hindi. The FSL had stipulated that if the accused did not know the languages, alternate arrangements of a translator had to be made.
The court, while permitting a recognised doctor to be taken along as translator, rejected defence lawyer Priyadarshan Thampi’s argument that Rajesh be exempted from the narco-analysis since he did not know English or Hindi. Language would not be a barrier to the test since alternate arrangements could be made, the court observed.
Ms. Chirakkal also extended the remand period of both the accused to November 12. Assistant Public Prosecutor Manoj K. John appeared on behalf of the prosecution.
