34.3 C
Delhi
Sunday, June 1, 2025

SC stays cheating case trial against Madhya Pradesh MLA Rajendra Bharti

Date:

Share post:

Donate-GC-Razorpay

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the trial in a cheating case against Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti, following his request to transfer the hearing to another state.

A bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan emphasised the fundamental principle of a fair trial, asserting that the accused must be given a full opportunity to defend themselves under the law.

“…while we say this, we must record that the state has to ensure that a fair trial is conducted. fair trial means full opportunity under law to the accused to defend himself,” the court observed.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Bharti, argued that defence witnesses were coerced and taken to a hotel, where they were pressurised to testify against his client.

The court grilled the Additional Advocate General (AAG) representing the Madhya Pradesh government on whether any investigation was conducted regarding the serious allegations of witness intimidation. The AAG denied the allegations but failed to present any evidence of an inquiry.

Dissatisfied with the response, Justice Oka criticised the state’s lack of seriousness. “Look at the attitude of the AAG. He is not answering simple questions. He is not able to understand the seriousness of the case. Every other day, we say that an advocate is an officer of the court first.”

The court directed the state to file its counter within two weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for February 28.

Related articles

Foreigner detained near Army HQ in Shimla; Himachal youth arrested in separate case

Shimla/Dehra: Security agencies have heightened surveillance in Himachal Pradesh after two back-to-back incidents raised national security concerns —...

U.S. SC allows Trump administration ending humanitarian parole for 500,000-plus migrants

New York: U.S. Supreme Court on Friday lifted a federal district court order that kept humanitarian parole protections...

Israel warns Hamas to accept U.S. envoy’s Gaza ceasefire deal “or be destroyed”

Jerusalem: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday warned Hamas to accept the Gaza ceasefire deal proposed by...

Sudan receives 2.9 mln cholera vaccine doses amid surge in cases: Health Ministry

Khartoum: The Sudanese Ministry of Health announced on Friday that it has received over 2.9 million doses of...