A single bench of the Kerala High Court, presided over by Justice Kauser Edappagath, has recused himself from hearing the petition filed by the survivor in the 2017 actor abduction and rape case. The survivor had sought a re-investigation into the alleged unauthorized access to the memory card containing visuals of the crime while it was in judicial custody.
Recusal Without Assigning Reasons
On Wednesday, Justice Edappagath recused himself from the case without assigning any reasons. This development follows the earlier recusal of Justice Jobin Sebastian, who had stepped aside because he had served as the High Court Registrar (District Judiciary) when the survivor lodged a complaint before the district judiciary regarding the alleged unauthorized access to the memory card by certain court officials.
Case to Be Posted Before Another Bench
Following Justice Edappagath's recusal, the matter will be posted before another single bench on Thursday. The survivor has approached the High Court seeking a re-investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted under the High Court's supervision, with a direction to complete the probe within a stipulated time frame.
Demands for Thorough Investigation
In her petition, the survivor has also sought an investigation into whether the contents of the memory card were copied or transmitted. She has requested that the SIT include at least one member with expertise in cyber and digital forensics to ensure a comprehensive examination of the evidence.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the sensitive nature of the crime and the allegations of tampering with crucial evidence. The survivor's legal team argues that a thorough re-investigation is necessary to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.
