PUDUCHERRY: In a fresh turn of events, Anand Sharma, son of slain Varadharaja Perumal Temple manager Sankararaman, has moved a petition in the trial court seeking removal of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) N Devadass, who is appearing in the case.Earlier in the day, Principal District and Sessions Judge C S Murugan, posted hearing on the petitions from Padma, the widow of Sankararaman, seeking police protection to her family and re-examination of herself, her son and daughter in the case, to June 5.After the judge announced the dates, Padma’s counsel Manikandan approached Devadoss and tried to hand over a ‘notice’ to the SPP, seeking to allow him to assist in the case. However, Devadoss, who reportedly refused to accept it, asked Manikandan to hand it over to the court. An argument ensued between the two, who then proceeded to the Principal District and Sessions Court.Manikandan, after informing Principal District and Sessions Judge C S Murugan about the SPP declining his request, submitted a petition on behalf of his client Ananda Sharma, to the court.“The misconduct of the SPP in not declaring witnesses hostile and supporting the accused by opposing our genuine pleas and other specific misconduct, in contravention of the statute, are serious matters warranting his removal as PP,” the petition said.Sharma further stated in his petition that Devadoss did not hand over the 500-page depositions of witnesses to him despite the court issuing oral directions in this regard.“Furthermore, the petitioner/victim’s side is being handicapped from proper and adequate representation, since the rules of procedure such as notifying the PP are being insisted upon by the court, whereas the PP is non- cooperative and refusing to receive the same even when served in Chennai through counsel (during the HC Hearings),” the petition said.The petitioner also said he had made a representation with the governments concerned to remove the SPP and take disciplinary action, besides moving the High Court and the bar council. “Till such time the removal proceedings are decided by means of a writ of Mandamus/Quo Warranto, the court may be pleased to take appropriate action against PP Devadoss for colluding with the accused, and refuse him audience till disciplinary action against him is concluded and a new PP is appointed,” the petition added.Devadoss Denies Allegations SPP Devadoss, however, denied the allegations. Talking to reporters outside the court premises, Devadoss said Anand Sharma’s counsel did not follow the procedures for availing the copy of depositions of the witnesses.The SPP said he was single-handedly proceeding with the case for the last three years and nobody had questioned his integrity or the manner in which he was dealing with the case.
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