The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has granted an additional three months to the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai to conclude the trial in the Sattankulam custodial deaths case of trader P. Jayaraj and his son J. Benicks.
The court's decision came after considering the vacancy of the presiding officer's post in the trial court. Currently, the case is being heard by the Additional District Judge for CBI cases as an additional charge.
The Special Public Prosecutor representing the CBI informed the court that out of the 132 witnesses in the case, 47 had been examined, and eight more witnesses remained to be heard.
Taking these factors into account, the court granted an extension of three months to the trial court, starting from the date the presiding officer assumes office, to complete the trial.
In March 2021, the court had directed the trial court in Madurai to complete the trial within six months while disposing of a petition filed by J. Selvarani, the wife of Jayaraj and mother of Benicks. Since then, the court has granted additional time on two occasions to complete the trial.
During the hearing, the Special Public Prosecutor informed the court about the progress made, including the examination of witnesses and the remaining witnesses yet to be heard. The extension was sought to complete the trial, with plans to examine two AIIMS doctors, a magistrate, CB-CID investigating officer, CBI investigating officer, and three others.
Acknowledging the submissions, Justice K. Murali Shankar noted the vacancy of the presiding officer and extended the trial completion period by three months from the date when a new presiding officer assumes charge of the additional district court.
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