Vidya’s Gang-rape and Murder case to be tried in Jaffna by 3 Tamil Judges Trial-at –bar
The trial of the Pungudutheevu student Vidya’s gang- rape and Murder case is to be tried in Jaffna by a panel of three Tamil Judges. The Chief Justice, Priyasath Dep had given the directive for this.
A panel of Judges led by , Vavuniya High Court Judge, Balendran Sasi Mahendran and with the Jaffna High Court judge Manickavasagar Illanchelliyan and Trincomalee High Court Judge, Annalingam Premasangar have been appointed by the Chief Justice to try this case by Trial-at –Bar.
Pungudutheevu School Girl, Vidya Sivaloganathan was abducted on her way to school, two years ago and was subjected to monstrous Gang rape and was murdered. 12 suspects were arrested by the CID. The case against these 12 suspects was concluded after 2 years of trial at the Kayts Court and the case report was submitted to the Attorney General. Releasing the 12th suspect from the case and converting the 11th a prosecution witness, the Attorney General had sent back the case documents to Jaffna High court, which were kept in safe custody by Jaffna HC judge.
The detention orders of the 9 suspects identified as defendants has been extended up to June 23rd. Although there were suggestions to conduct the Trial-at-Bar in Colombo by Sinhalese Judges, following request of the affected family and the continuous demands of Jaffna and Island people it had been decided to conduct the case in Jaffna with Tamil Judges.
