Madhu | File Picture
Palakkad: The Mannarkkad SC/ST court questioned the repeated absence of the special public prosecutor in the Attappadi Madhu murder case. No one was present on Madhu’s side when the court heard the case on Tuesday.
The Special Public Prosecutor was absent when the case was heard on November 15 last year, following which the hearing was postponed to January 25. But the prosecutor did not appear in court even on Tuesday. The court adjourned the case till February 26.
The prosecution has prolonged the trial of the case on earlier occasions as well stating various reasons. Madhu's family had alleged that the trial of the case was being delayed purposefully. Madhu's mother Malli said her son should get the justice that he deserves.
30-year-old Madhu, a tribal youth, was lynched to death by an angry mob on February 22, 2018. A special public prosecutor was appointed for the case initially, but he resigned later citing lack of facilities.
VT Raghunath was appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor in August 2019. He has never appeared in the Mannarkkad court. Only his junior lawyers have appeared so far. However, his unofficial explanation was that he had resigned from the post. It is also learned that he was asked by the DGP office to continue as the prosecutor in the case.