Vidya rape: suspects further remanded three months

The Jaffna High Courts today further remanded nine suspects who were arrested over rape and murder of a school girl in Punkudutheevu for three more months after Attorney General department sought further detention to conclude investigations.

The case was taken up today before Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilanchelian today and  thirteen suspects of nine were produced. Only three of the suspects were represented by lawyers and others told the courts that Attorney at Laws belong to Jaffna Bar refused to represent them in court proceedings.

Earlier the Kayts Magistrate courts referred to the Jaffna High Court since it cannot order suspects on remand after one year. 

Judge Ilanchelian urged the Jaffna Bar to reconsider their decision of not representing the suspects on the basis of everybody has the right to tell their side to the courts.
 
In May last year Vidya, a student from Punguduthivu island was gang-raped before she was murdered.

Pix by N.Lohathayalan