Thiruvananthapuram: The trial in the 2019 road accident case involving the death of senior journalist K M Basheer was adjourned to Thursday after a prosecution witness failed to appear before the first additional sessions court, Vanchiyoor, on Wednesday.The court is expected to examine three more prosecution witnesses when the hearing resumes on Thursday.The adjournment comes a day after a key eyewitness, an autorickshaw driver, turned hostile during his deposition. Shafeek, examined as the sixth prosecution witness, told the court that he could not identify who was driving the car that hit Basheer’s motorcycle and said he did not know the accused, IAS officer Sreeram Venkitaraman.The witness deposed that he had seen a man and a woman at the accident spot but could not say who was behind the wheel. He further stated that although the car was travelling at a high speed, the driver did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol.Shafeek’s testimony differed from the statements he had allegedly given to the police during the investigation and later before a magistrate. He told the court that he had made the earlier statements based on what the police had told him. He also said that, as a night-time autorickshaw driver, he frequently visited the police station to sign the night register and was acquainted with police personnel, adding that this was how he came to be cited as a witness in the case.A day earlier, another eyewitness and autorickshaw driver, Manikuttan, identified Sreeram in court as the person driving the car. He testified that he saw the vehicle negotiate the Vellayambalam roundabout at high speed before overtaking his autorickshaw and speeding away. According to him, the car was travelling at over 100kmph before it rammed Basheer’s motorcycle near the Public Office, fatally injuring the senior journalist.During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution also informed the court that summons are yet to be served on two prosecution witnesses — one currently residing in Ireland and another based in Delhi. Their examination will be scheduled after the summons are issued and served.The prosecution continues to examine witnesses as the trial progresses.
