Two important witnesses, a photographer and videographer, deposed before the First Fast Track Sessions Court in Chitralekha Urs murder case on Wednesday.

Videographer Syed Amin (sub-inspector) and photographer Gopal Shetty were the witnesses. The third phase of the trail had to be adjourned by a day on Tuesday, owing to the absence of three witnesses. The video evidence of the finding of Chitralekha's body was also produced before Justice Savithri Vinayaka. Chitralekha's body was found at Shirdi Ghat in March 2004, two months after she had disappeared from Bangalore.

The body was found caught in a tree branch in the forest, about 25 feet below the highway. The photographic evidence of gold jewellery found beside the body was also produced before the court.

"The most important evidence is the DNA and handwriting expert's reports, which will be produced on Thursday,'' special public prosecutor NR Ramakrishna said. On Thursday, MLC Abdul Azim (the then inspector and investigating officer) will depose before the court. Chitralekha was allegedly drugged and murdered by her cousin Bharathi Urs and two associates T Madhukar and LN Chandrakanth on January 11, 2004.

Soumya Menon/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication