A minor, who was made a witness by the accused to prove their innocence in the December 16 gang-rape case, on Saturday produced before a court a video clipping which showed that the two of the four youths facing trial were present at the music function on the fateful night.
A 15-year-old boy, appearing in defence of Vinay Sharma, showed a video recording to Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna pointing out that Vinay and co-accused Pawan Gupta were present in the function held in South Delhi at the time of the incident.
During his cross-examination by the prosecution, the boy said that Vinay and Pawan were not in the bus in which a 23-year-old girl was gang-raped. Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan and Rajiv Mohan, however, countered the minor's contention saying he has concocted a false story at the behest of the accused and his family members as he is a childhood friend of the accused.
The boy rejected the prosecution's allegation saying he is not lying as he has taken oath in the name of God. "There was no programme organised on the evening of December 16, 2012 in the district park (South Delhi). The DDA/Horticulture Department does not allow such programmes in its park and no one is allowed to enter the park after 7:00 pm," the prosecution said.
During the proceedings on Saturday, the police also moved an application seeking summoning of three material witnesses in the case to prove that no activities, such as musical events are permitted in the said park as claimed by the accused. Krishnan said the defence has taken the plea of alibi. "Both accused, Vinay and Pawan, have led evidence in an attempt to falsely show their presence on the evening of December 16, 2012 at the district park in a musical event organised by church," Krishnan contended. The court has kept the application pending saying it would decide it after defence witnesses' statement is closed.