Ten acquitted in Janata Dal (U) leader P G Deepak murder case

Thrissur: The Fast Track Court here on Monday acquitted 10 RSS-BJP workers of the murder of the Janata Dal (U) leader P. G. Deepak, citing mismatch in the statements of the doctor who first treated him and prosecution witnesses. Mr Deepak, who crossed over from BJP to JD (U), was attacked by a gang of men carrying weapons on March 24, 2015, near his shop at Pazhuvil Junction and he succumbed to injuries the same night.

He was the president of the Nattika unit of the JD(U).  Assistant public prosecutor A. P. Vasavan told DC that the three persons injured in the attack had told the doctor at the casualty of the private hospital that the assailants had covered their face and the doctor included that in his report as it is normally done. But during the trial, the prosecution witness said that though the attackers had covered their face with clothes, they were able to see the faces as they came closer to attack them.

Judge John K. Illikkadan said while announcing the judgment that as the statement given to the doctor by the witnesses was seen as one made without any external interference soon after the incident, that holds importance. He also cited lack of evidence and described the prosecution as good cooks preparing food in a pot with holes. The prosecution lawyers said they would soon appeal to the High Court.