Death of journalist KM Basheer: Court comes down heavily on Wafa

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The trial court has reprimanded Wafa Najeem, the second accused in the murder case of journalist KM Basheer, for not giving a copy of her discharge petition to the government despite repeatedly asking for the same.

The criticism came from Thiruvananthapuram First Additional District Sessions Court. Judge KK Balakrishnan directed Wafa to hand over the discharge petition to the prosecution before September 2 and also to present her argument on the same day. Sriram and Wafa appeared in court. However, the sessions court had earlier said that the prima facie record against Sriram Venkataraman under Section 304 of IPC (causing death due to negligence).