Three conspired for gang rape: CBI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first accused-turned-approver Omanakkutty and Kochumon and Latha Nair two of the accused have conspired to facilitate the gang rape of Shari S Nair, the victim in the controversial Kiliroor sex scandal, counsel for the CBI told the CBI court here on Friday when the final hearing in the case started.Shari, a minor was raped at Kumily by Kochumon after he  hatched a conspiracy with Omanakkutty and Latha Nair, said K P Satheesan, the special prosecutor for CBI.   He argued that the accused exploited the teenaged girl’s fascination for acting in television serials. The accused prepared a written agreement with the girl’s parents assuring them that Praveen, another accused, will marry her and deposit Rs 5 lakh on behalf of Shari’s daughter, while they were certain of her death.The CBI produced two statements of the deceased, one as told to Prasanna Kumari, first class Judical Magistrate, Kottayam and another as told to the Ernakulam Range DIG  R Sreelekha. The CBI court expressed some doubt over the validity of the statements of first accused- turned-approver and absence of direct evidence.The prosecutor who produced two statements of the deceased, one as told to Prasanna Kumari, first class Judicial Magistrate, Kottayam, along with the one given to Ernakulam Range DIG, argued that the circumstantial evidence is crucial as the victim passed away.  The hearing  will continue on Saturday.