JOLLYAMMA JOSEPH Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is facing prosecution as the first accused in a case of mariticide. On 7/3/2023, the trial commenced. The learned Sessions Judge ordered the proceedings to be held in-camera. Learned counsel for the first accused thereafter filed a petition to recall the order directing in-camera trial. The said application was dismissed by the impugned order. Hence this petition under Sec. 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short 'Cr.P.C') by the first accused.

(2.) S.C. No.496 of 2020 on the files of the Additional Sessions Court (Marad Cases), Kozhikode relates to the murder of the husband of Smt. Jollyamma - the first accused. The case attained widespread media attention since the first accused is alleged to have murdered five other persons over a period of time by poisoning. On the date when the case was posted for commencement of trial, the learned Sessions Judge ordered proceedings to be held in-camera. Three Advocates for each of the accused were also permitted to be inside the court, apart from the prosecution.

(3.) Aggrieved by the said order, an application was filed by the counsel for the first accused seeking to recall the order directing the holding of the proceedings in-camera. However, by the impugned order, the learned Sessions Judge dismissed the application.