Kerala: Many witnesses turned hostile in 6-year-old case

Kollam: The chronology of the case starts with an attack unleashed by a gang on journalist V. B. Unnithan in the night of April 16, 2011, at Sasthamcotta in Kollam. The investigation team found the attack was planned by police officers after the scribe had revealed their involvement in immoral activities as part of a liquor party thrown by liquor contractors at Ashramam guest house in Kollam. Subsequently, on April 28, Happy Rajesh (34) of Uliyakovil, Ashramam, an autorickshaw driver who allegedly undertook the quotation to attack Mr Unnithan, was found dead in his vehicle named ‘Happy’ near Victoria Hospital.

This case was initially investigated by the local police and then the crime branch and was later handed over to the CBI after his wife Bindu filed a plea alleging that the higher police officials hatched conspiracy with criminals to kill her husband and that the crime branch inquiry was not in the right direction. Meanwhile, ASI Babu Kumar was also hacked by the goons alleging he had supplied the story to the scribe. The CBI had filed a charge sheet including DySP Santhosh Nair and Container Santhosh for their involvement in the conspiracy which led to the murder. The CBI arrested Container Santhosh for handing over the quotation to Happy Rajesh. During the trial, several witnesses turned hostile allegedly under threats from the police-goon gang.