Kin of accused want Gokulraj case trial shifted to another court

Led by Theeran Chinnamalai Gounder Peravai Salem district co-ordinator P Jayapal and Suvitha, wife of prime accused S Yuvaraj, the founder of the Peravai, they submitted a petition to M Asia Mariam seeking transfer of the case.

Their demand comes in the wake of a court in Namakkal cancelling the bail granted to 14 people accused in the murder of Gokulraj on Thursday. The family members claimed that even as they were demanding a fair trial, the bail has been cancelled suddenly without any valid reason.

Gokulraj of Omalur was found dead on railway tracks near Pallipalayam on June 24, 2015. Seventeen people, including Yuvaraj and his driver P Arun, were arrested in connection with the murder.

While Yuvaraj has been lodged in the Tiruchy Central Prison and Arun in Coimbatore Central Prison, one of the accused Jothimani was killed by her husband. The remaining accused were on bail.

Meanwhile, Namakkal Principal District judge KH Elavazhagan ordered all the accused persons to appear in court following a petition moved by the CB-CID seeking cancellation of their bail. On Thursday, the 13 accused people appeared in court, while a search warrant has been issued against Amudarasu, who failed to appear. Following this, they were lodged in the Salem Central Prison.

Those who were lodged in the Salem Central Prison went on a fast on Friday protesting against the court’s order cancelling their bail.