The special court trying the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case, on Tuesday, cautioned defence counsel against posing questions aimed at maligning the integrity of a police officer.
R. Narayana Pisharadi, Judge, Special Additional District and Sessions Court (Marad Cases), however, entertained the subject when B. Raman Pillai, counsel, pointed out two instances connected with the officer.
Mr. Pillai asked during the cross-examination of A.P. Shoukathali, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, member of the team that investigated the murder of the Revolutionary Marxist Party leader at Onchiyam on May 4, 2012, if he were a “notorious torturer.” The judge said defence counsel should not frame such general questions or allegations that had no relevance to the case or any connection with the accused.
ADVERTISEMENT
Counsel then pointed out two instances connected with the officer. One was his suspension from service on the charge of assaulting a worker of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and another was a private complaint of torture submitted in a court.
Though the question had no connection with the case, the accused in the present case belonged to the CPI(M), he argued.
Mr. Shoukathali said the government had suspended him from service while investigating the Sainudeen case when he was working at Iritty in June 2010. The Police Complaints Authority had given a report.
ADVERTISEMENT
The then Home Minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had not only revoked the suspension after the Kerala High Court criticised the government but also had to treat the suspension period as duty leave.
Now the case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.