Fresh hearing sought in Ice-cream parlour case

KOZHIKODE: Giving a major twist to the ongoing probe by the SIT (Special Investigation Team) into the ice-cream parlour sex scandal case, two witnesses have submitted petition to the Chief Minister, Opposition Leader, investigating officers and Judicial First Class Magistrate Court I, Kozhikode, seeking another chance to reveal facts regarding the case before the investigation team. P Rosalin and K Bindhu, two of the witnesses and victims in the case, have alleged that Chelari Sherif, a close associate of Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty, had threatened them not to give statements against Kunhalikutty, the prime accused in the case days before the police inquisition.“Sherif, at his home in Chalappuram a few days ago, briefed the questions to be asked by the investigation officer and taught what reply should be given to them. He threatened not to give any statements against Kunhalikutty in any of the police inquiry and warned of severe consequences if did otherwise. We got afraid and agreed to their demands.Later, during questioning, we told the police what we are taught by Sherif. Hence, we should be given another chance to tell the truth and necessary action should be taken against Sherif for threatening us to give false statements,” said Bindhu and Rosalin in the letter, which is accessed by Express.More importantly, witnesses added that the police team asked exactly the same questions, which were mentioned by Sherif to them, and thus they realised the influence of Sheriff in the investigation team. “Sheriff had approached several times along with K A Rauf and bribed them to gave statements in favour of the Muslim League leader. That is why we went to meet him at his house,” they said.“Once Kunhalikutty himself met us at the house of Sheriff at Chalappuram. He told us that the government lawyer, the judge and others were duly treated. Later, he handed over two bundles of cash in a plastic over to K A Rauf and said one was for Rejina and the other one was for all other witnesses,” Bindhu said,  according to the letter.Both witnesses mentioned that they were given jobs in Dubai after the disposal of the case as promised by Kunhalikutty and documents for this were arranged by K A Rauf, the co-brother turned foe of Kunhalikutty. Rosalin alleged that advocate C M Rajan in the presence of former Kozhikode corporation mayor T P Dasan described the things to be mentioned in the Court and all expenses were met by Kunhalikutty’s team during the case. With this revelations, the demand for a CBI probe into the case registered on the basis of fresh disclosures made by K A Rauf has strengthened. The petition seeking the same filed by V S Achuthanandan is under consideration of the High Court.