Fate of Madhu lynching case hangs in balance

Rising concern over witnesses turning hostile

The ongoing trial in the lynching case of Attappady Madhu suffered yet another setback when one more witness turned hostile on Friday. With eight key witnesses backtracking from the statements they had given to the police, concerns were high about the fate of the case.

Kali Moopan, a forest watcher on contract, was the 18th witness who turned hostile on Friday. Seven other witnesses, including two forest watchers, had turned hostile since the trial of the case started at SC/ST Special Court at Mannarkkad on June 8.

The Forest department recently sacked two other watchers for backtracking from their original statements during the trial. The department action, considered as a pre-emptive measure against any further forest staffer turning hostile during the case, proved futile when Kali Moopan changed his statement on Friday.

Out of the eight witnesses who gave confidential statements before the magistrate, only the 13th witness, Suresh, stood by his original statement. The 17th witness, Jolly, who gave a confidential statement two days ago, too had turned hostile. Jolly had originally stated as having seen the accused bringing Madhu captive from the forest.

All the witnesses who turned hostile during the trial said that they had given the statements under duress from the police.

Special Public Prosecutor Rajesh M. Menon said that the case was losing its strength as witnesses continued to turn hostile. He said that witness protection scheme should be implemented to prevent the witnesses from turning hostile.

According to Mr. Menon, the accused could influence the witnesses as they were out on bail. “This too has been a setback to the case,” he said.