CCTV footage, forensic report lead to conviction in attempted murder case

Mangaluru: Despite witnesses turning hostile and testifying against the prosecution, the First Additional District and Sessions Court has convicted the accused based on CCTV footage and forensic reports in an attempted murder case.

The court convicted Rajesh Devadiga alias Raja (42) of Kanakatla Janata Colony, Idya village, Surathkal, and Jagadish alias Jaggu (45) of Shediguri village, Jokatte in the case.

Case Details

Rajesh and complainant Jeevan Mascarenhas (28) of Idya Janata Colony were accused in an assault case in 2016. Rajesh frequently missed court dates, causing inconvenience to Jeevan, leading to several verbal altercations between them.

On December 14, 2019, at around 10:30 PM, Rajesh and Jagadish confronted Jeevan and his friend Prashanth, who were consuming alcohol at a bar near Idya. Rajesh assaulted Jeevan with a knife, inflicting injuries on his shoulder, right hand, and elbow.

The then PSI of Surathkal, Sundari, submitted the charge sheet, including CCTV footage from the bar. Despite 31 witnesses and 58 documents being identified, many witnesses turned hostile.

However, the court considered the CCTV footage and forensic report as strong evidence. Judge Mallikarjuna Swamy H.S. sentenced Rajesh to 323 days of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2,000, and Jagadish to 39 days of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2,000.

Since both had already served more time in jail than their sentences, the court waived their jail terms.

Advocate Judith Olga Margaret Crasta appeared as the public prosecutor.