Sri Lankan minister Douglas Devananda has expressed doubts about police’s ability to ensure his safety if he appears for trial in a murder case in Chennai. Tamil Nadu police were equal to the Scotland Yard in investigation, but when it comes to security they are not as efficient, as was evident from the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, his counsel told a sessions court, which is hearing the minister’s petition seeking recall of the pending non-bailable warrant against him and permission to face the trial through video-conferencing.

After hearing the arguments, IV additional sessions judge S Rajagopalan said he would deliver the verdict on the plea on October 18.

The matter relates to a murder case registered against Douglas and his associates for the Diwali-eve murder of one Thirunavukkarasu at Choolaimedu here in 1986. The sessions court had issued the non-bailable warrant against him and declared him an absconding accused in 1994, after he and others failed to appear in court. In his petition, Douglas said his entry into Tamil Nadu and personal appearance in the court would trigger law and order in the state. Apprehending threat to his life in the state, his counsel also wanted the trial to be conducted through video-conferencing.

Additional public prosecutor Prabhavathi, however, informed the court that an accused must present himself before the court concerned if he wants the warrant against him to be recalled. Allaying Douglas’ apprehensions about his personal safety, she said the state police would give him full protection to him during trial.

However, Douglas’ counsel P N Prakash, citing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur, said police cannot ensure safety of the minister. Several policemen too died in the assassination, he said.

Prabhavathi, opposing trial via video-conferencing, told the court that since several police officers handling the case had been transferred during the interregnum period, it would be difficult for any officer to identify the accused shown on the video. Prakash, however, said identification of the accused could be done by the witnesses and there was no need for the investigating officer to do so. Douglas has said he was prepared to face trial in the murder case but it should be through video-conferencing. (TNN)