Kozhikode: Gro Vasu, who was on remand in connection with the case of killing of Maoist activists, was released from jail after the court acquitted him. Human rights activist Gro Vasu (A. Vasu) was arrested for protesting on the road on November 26, 2016 when the bodies of Maoist activists killed in an encounter in Nilambur were brought to Kozhikode Medical College. Kundamangalam Judicial First Class Magistrate VP Abdul Sattar acquitted Gro Vasu in this case. Vasu was remanded without bail for 46 days and was released from the district jail yesterday evening.
The court observed that although the prosecution produced a CD of the video showing the protest led by Vasu, the certificate required to be issued by the officer who directed the recording under Evidence Act 65B was not produced. The prosecution has not been able to clearly prove that the accused committed the crime. The court observed that neither the authorities nor others, including the medical college principal, had filed a complaint that there had been a traffic jam, and only what the police said was in front of them. The court had directed that Vasu should be produced online as his sloganeering would disturb the court.
As soon as the verdict was delivered, the order to release the accused reached the jail via e-mail. The court acquitted 17 of the total 20 accused in the case. Two people paid a fine of Rs.200 each. Vasu was arrested on July 29 and produced before the court after a warrant was issued due to his non-appearance. Unwilling to seek bail or admit the crime and pay the fine, he has been in judicial custody since then.
2023-09-13 19:01:33
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