Shuhaib murder: Kerala HC impleads victim’s father in plea for trial court change

Kochi: High court has impleaded C P Muhammed, the father of deceased Youth Congress functionary S P Shuhaib, who was allegedly hacked to death at Mattannur by a gang of CPM workers, in the petition filed by the accused seeking transfer of the trial from the additional sessions court–III, Thalassery, to any other competent court.A bench of Justice G Gireesh, while considering the main petition filed by Akash M V alias Akash Thillankeri and other accused on Monday, allowed the impleading petition filed by Muhammed opposing the accused’s plea for transfer of trial.Meanwhile, the public prosecutor submitted that a connected matter challenging the trial court’s order on the accused’s petition concerning the manner in which witnesses were examined is pending before another bench.

He further submitted that, in the interest of justice, both matters ought to be considered together by the same bench.Accordingly, HC directed its registry to place the matter before the Chief Justice for appropriate orders. HC also extended by one week the interim order staying the trial proceedings in the case and adjourned the matter to June 22.Shuhaib, a Youth Congress worker, was hacked to death on Feb 12, 2018, by a group of CPM workers while having tea with his friends at a shop at Therur near Edayannur. The accused have approached HC aggrieved by the manner in which the trial court conducted the chief examination of witnesses, contending that it was not in compliance with Section 280 of CrPC, which requires the judge to record material remarks regarding the demeanour of witnesses while they are testifying.