Kollam: The examination of witnesses in the Dr. Vandana Das murder case is set to begin on February 12, with the first phase of the trial focusing on the first 50 witnesses. The case revolves around the tragic death of Dr. Vandana, who was killed while on duty at the emergency department of Kottarakkara Government Hospital on May 10, 2023.

Dr. Vandana was stabbed with a surgical knife by the accused Sandeep, who was brought to the hospital by the Pooyapally police for treatment. Dr. Muhammed Shibin, who was also on duty at the time, will be questioned on the first day of the trial. Eyewitnesses and those injured in the incident will testify in the following days.

The trial is scheduled to begin on March 5, with a total of 34 doctors listed as witnesses, making it the case with the highest number of doctors as prosecution witnesses in a murder case in Kerala. The accused had previously filed a bail application with the Supreme Court, but the application was rejected after a mental examination confirmed that Sandeep was fit to face trial.

The case is currently before Kollam Additional Sessions Judge PN Vinod. The prosecution is being represented by Advocate Pratap G Padikkal, along with advocates Sridevi Pratap, Shilpa Sivan, and Harish Kattoor.