3 more witnesses turn hostile in footwear scam

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 30. Three more prosecution witnesses in the case relating to the `free footwear scam' during the previous AIADMK rule, turned hostile while tendering evidence before the Special Judge-III, Mr. P. Anbazhagan, today. With this, four prosecution witnesses have turned hostile in the case so far.

In his deposition during chief examination, a witness, Mr. A.G. Ramalingam of Egmore, brother of an accused, Mr. A.G. Krishnamurthy, said he was a member of the Red Hills Industrial Cooperative Society, and in 1993, his brother gave him Rs. two lakhs for manufacture of footwear (to be supplied to the Tamil Nadu Government). Accordingly, he supplied to the society about 11,000 pairs of footwear by engaging persons for the work. He said he went to the office of the investigating agency, but was not interrogated by police.

At this stage, he was treated as hostile.

During cross-examination by the prosecutor, he said there were about 25 members in the society and he was not aware whether they knew how to manufacture chappals.

Two other witnesses, Mr. D. Babu and Mr. D. Dharani of Red Hills, also relatives of Mr. Krishnamurthy, said the accused gave them money for manufacturing chappals and they made the supply.

During cross-examination by prosecution, the witnesses denied they told the police during questioning that Mr. Krishnamurthy did not give them any amount for manufacturing chappals and also that records had been created to show that money had been received.

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Section  : Southern States
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