Martin V.D., accused in the Kalamassery Jehovah’s Witnesses convention centre blast case, may lose his right for an “informed defence” in court following his decision to argue the case as a party in person, besides burdening the court with the responsibility of alerting him of his rights and guiding him through the proceedings.
The stand of the accused, who apparently has no exposure to legal procedures and formalities of a criminal trial, would force the court to constantly remind him of his rights and privileges as they could possibly be compromised in the absence of a defence lawyer, according to judicial sources.
