Abhaya case: CBI wants HC judge changed

The CBI on Tuesday pleaded with the Acting Chief Justice of Kerala High Court Justice J B Koshi that Justice K Hema, who is hearing the bail applications of the accused in the Abhaya case, was prejudiced towards the case. CBI petitioned the Chief Justice that the matter be moved to another court.

While hearing the counsel of the CBI and the accused, Justice Hema had made open observations about the case diary and the evidence. Seeking more evidence on the involvement of the arrested in the case, she remarked that the case would not stand simply on the narco-analysis tests conducted on the three arrested and found that there were missing links in the report on the tests. A worried CBI told the court that revealing the evidence and other sensitive details would affect the probe.

On Monday, the CBI made a verbal demand to the Chief Justice that Justice Hema be prevented from hearing the case. On the Chief Justice’s directive, the CBI moved a petition after which Justice Koshi observed that his court could not intervene in the case at this juncture as hearing on the bail application has been going on at the court of Justice Hema.

He suggested that the agency approach the Supreme Court. CBI counsel A V S Namboothiri said the investigating officer has to get a direction from the headquarters on moving the Supreme Court.