Harikumar, a relative of Poovachal native Priyaranjan, the main accused in the murder of 15-year-old Adisekhar in Kattakada, has testified in the court that he saw the accused waiting in his car 20 minutes before the incident.
The incident occurred on August 30, 2023, when Adisekhar was struck by the car and killed.
Mr. Harikumar testified before Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Judge-VI Vishnu K. that on the evening of the incident, around 5 p.m., he saw Priyaranjan sitting in the car while he was on his way to cut banana leaves. When Mr. Harikumar returned home at approximately 5.20 p.m., he again saw Priyaranjan sitting in the car. The witness identified both the accused and the car during the court proceedings.
Adisekhar’s father Arunkumar testified that he believed the murder was premeditated, based on prior threats made by Priyaranjan to his son.
Earlier, in April 2023, Adisekhar had confronted Priyaranjan for urinating near the Sree Bhadrakali Devi temple in Pulincode, which led to a heated argument. The boy subsequently informed his father of the incident and that Priyaranjan had threatened him during the encounter.
Later, Arunkumar’s aunt, Lathakumari, witnessed Priyaranjan twisting Adisekhar’s arm and threatening him, according to the prosecution led by special public prosecutor V.S. Vineeth Kumar.
Although the incident was initially thought to be an accident, the family grew suspicious after seeing the CCTV footage, which showed Priyaranjan waiting in the car before deliberately striking Adisekhar with his vehicle. The motive behind the crime appears to be linked to the earlier altercation regarding the urination incident, they alleged.
The trial is set to continue on January 13 with more witnesses scheduled to testify.
Published – January 10, 2025 08:47 pm IST