Friend’s absence from court raises eyebrows
11 Sept 2013 5:19 AM IST
On Tuesday as the entire nation waited for the verdict in the 16 December gang rape case, the prime eye-witness, Awnindra Pratap Pandey (the victim's friend who had been in the bus with her at the time the crime was committed), chose to stay away from the court.
Pandey was, however, present at the studio of a leading news channel as it covered the announcement of verdict in the case.
A police official who was close to the investigation, requesting anonymity said, 'Awnindra Pratap should ideally have been present in the court, but his absence raises a question on the extent of his concern for the victim.'
Yogender, one of the protesters against the 16 December incident, who had also become a witness in constable Subhash Tomar's death during the protests at Indian Gate on 23 December, said, 'I have heard that in January he had given paid interviews to a few channels. I have been watching him on the television channels since morning, but I feel it would have seemed more correct if he had been present at the court.'
Defence lawyer Manoj Tomar also criticised Pandey’s absence from court. 'He is active on social networking websites. He very well knows how to promote himself,' Tomar said.
Pandey was, however, present at the studio of a leading news channel as it covered the announcement of verdict in the case.
A police official who was close to the investigation, requesting anonymity said, 'Awnindra Pratap should ideally have been present in the court, but his absence raises a question on the extent of his concern for the victim.'
Yogender, one of the protesters against the 16 December incident, who had also become a witness in constable Subhash Tomar's death during the protests at Indian Gate on 23 December, said, 'I have heard that in January he had given paid interviews to a few channels. I have been watching him on the television channels since morning, but I feel it would have seemed more correct if he had been present at the court.'
Defence lawyer Manoj Tomar also criticised Pandey’s absence from court. 'He is active on social networking websites. He very well knows how to promote himself,' Tomar said.
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