HC stays trial in RSS functionary attack case

The Madras High Court Bench here today stayed trial proceedings against four persons accused of cutting the left hand and left leg of an RSS functionary in 2008.
Justice M.M.Sundaresh granted the stay till July 27 and called for records from the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Dindigul where the trial in the case was underway.
He was passing the interim order on a petition by the accused seeking re-examination of all witnesses in the trial court.
According to prosecution, A.Ilyas (35), A. Rahamathullah (35), A.Riyas alias Janakiraman (37) and A.Syed (37) had on December 21, 2008 attacked Baskaran, Dindigul district RSS organiser and cut his left hand and left leg.

On a complaint, Dindigul police registered a case against the four for attempt to murder and criminal intimidation.
The police gave the final report on March 12, 2010 and the trial was going on at the CJM court.

The petitioners' counsel W Peter Rameshkumar alleged that the prosecution wantonly added additional charges against the accused.
When this was pointed out to the trial court, it failed to listen, he claimed.
S Praba, government counsel, denied the allegations and said the CJM court has almost completed the trial and now the case was in the judgment stage.
Re-examination of witnesses would drag the case, she said.