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Douglas to stand trial for Chennai murder via video conference

Notorious paramilitary leader Douglas Devananda will stand trial for a killing that happened in Chennai in 1987.

The leader of the EPDP, a state-affiliated armed group accused of several crimes, will be tried remotely, and will be video conferencing from the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Justice C. T. Selvam of Madras High Court said: "At every instance when the petitioner is required to appear before the trial court in person, the state shall afford him appropriate protection."

"This order is passed in the peculiar circumstances of the case given the diplomatic status and the effect execution of a non-bailable warrant issued against a minister of the neighbouring state, may entail. This order shall not be seen as a precedent," he said.

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