‘No proof for drunk driving’; Sriram Venkitaraman’s new claim in K M Basheer death case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sriram Venkataraman, the first accused in the case of fatally knocking down journalist K M Basheer, approached the court with a release plea. He filed the plea at the Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court. The plea pointed that there was no evidence of drunk driving. The plea also mentioned that only the case of ordinary accident will stand.

Meantime, the court will pronounce the verdict on the release plea filed by Wafa Feroze, the second accused in the case. Wafa claimed that she is innocent in the case and should be exempted. The case against Wafa is that she instigated Sriram Venkitaraman to drive the vehicle dangerously. However, the prosecution's stand is to reject the plea of Wafa, who is involved in the conspiracy in the case.

Basheer died on August 3, 2019, at one am after fatally knocked down by the car driven by Sriram Venkitaraman near Museum Junction. The vehicle was in the name of Wafa Feroze. A plea filed by Basheer’s brother Abdu Rahman seeking a CBI probe is under the consideration of the high court.

The plea stated that the prosecution and the police are helping the accused while the prima facie case against IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman will stand. The high court sought an explanation from the police on the matter.