Court reserves judgement on petition to speed up Kamduni trial

The Calcutta High Court today reserved judgement on a petition by the West Bengal government seeking speedy trial in the gangrape and murder of a college student at Kamduni, following conclusion of hearing.
Justice Asim Kumar Roy, after hearing all the parties, reserved judgement in the matter, which would be delivered on a later date.
Appearing for complainant in the case, senior counsel Bikash Bhattacharya opposed a prayer by the accused persons that trial of the case be transferred to a different court.
The accused had made the prayer claiming that protests were being held at the Barasat court premises and thus it could hamper their safety.

Bhattacharya opposed the prayer submitting that if the case was transferred to a different court, it would mean that witnesses would have to travel far to depose before the court.
Stating that of the 54 witnesses in the case, 14 were from Kamduni village, Bhattacharya submitted that transferring the case may lead to compromise of the safety and security of the witnesses who may come to harm by associates of the accused persons.
The state prayed before Justice Roy that a direction be passed that the trial court complete the trial in the sensitive case, which has led to widespread protests, be completed fast.

The 20-year old girl was brutally gangraped and murdered in a secluded spot at Kamduni village under Barasat police station area in North 24 Parganas district on June 7 when she was returning home after sitting for an university examination.