Manipal gang rape case trial resumes at District Court

Manipal gang rape case trial resumes at District Court

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Jan 6, 2013 : The trial in the case of gang rape of a medical student of Manipal University, resumed  at the District and Sessions Court on January 6, Monday. Two of the witnesses namely Suresh, a security guard at Manipal University and A Vittal, estate manager were cross examined  on Monday.

The  gang rape victim and her friend who were  supposed to appear for the trial were however not present  owing to exams. Even the court has given   them enough time following an appeal made by the University  stating that the students had exams till February 5.

The fateful incident had taken place on the night of June 20 when the student was on her way to her residence from the University library. The student was abducted in an autorickshaw by three men who had later raped her in an isolated location.There are a total of 108 witnesses in the case. The court is expected to cross examine five witnesses a day.

So far five persons including three main accused namely  Yogish, Anand and Hariprasad are arrested. The other two who are arrested are Harindra, brother of Hariprasad and  Balachandra, brother of Yogish, They are facing charges of destroying evidences in the case.

 The prime accused have been charged under sections 366, 376 D, 506 and others under Section 201 read with section 34 of Indian Penal Code. Mangalore-based criminal lawyer Purushottam Poojary is the legal counsel for the accused, while  T S Jithuri is the Public Prosecutor.