THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram chief judicial magistrate on Friday allowed the custody of Mangalam Television chief executive officer R. Ajithkumar and chief reporter R. Jayachandran for two days to the special investigation team probing the honey trap case. The Vanchiyoor court premises witnessed tense situation as lawyers in large numbers showered abuses on the two in an apparent sequel to the stand-off between journalists and lawyers last year. The two were taken to the court premises with heavy police protection as there were reports that the lawyers may attack the two journalists.
The SIT sought the custody of the two for collecting digital evidences of the telephone conversation of the minister with a woman reporter of the channel. The mobile phone and other gadgets used for recording the conversation of the minister were yet to be recovered. The two are likely to be taken to the channel office on Saturday for collecting evidence. Meanwhile, the woman who made the conversation with the minister had not yet turned up before the SIT citing medical reasons. The SIT on Friday took the statement of more persons, including some employees of the channel, as part of the probe. Five persons were arrested in connection with the case.
