The CBI was scheduled to argue on the framing of charges today in the case, where 16 accused have been chargesheeted, including Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
However, the defence lawyers sought postponement of arguments on charges since a fresh arrest has been made by the CBI in April.
K Kavitha’s counsel, Advocate Nitesh Rana, on behalf of the defence counsel, requested the court to decide first on the application filed seeking to defer arguments on charges before the CBI proceeds with its arguments.
However, the court did not consider the objections and decided to continue the proceedings and let the CBI argue the framing of charges.
Subsequently, multiple defence counsel walked out as soon as the CBI counsel began arguing.
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court witnessed dramatic scenes on Wednesday as lawyers representing various accused in the Delhi excise policy case walked out of the courtroom after the bench allowed the CBI to argue on the framing of charges, despite opposition by the defence lawyers.
The CBI was scheduled to argue on the framing of charges today in the case, where 16 accused have been chargesheeted, including Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. However, the defence lawyers sought postponement of arguments on charges since a fresh arrest has been made by the CBI in April.
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Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj referred to a recent order passed by the court, which held that in case any other suspect is made to join the investigation or any other subsequent supplementary chargesheet is filed, the court may stop or halt the hearing on charges until the copies of such supplementary chargesheet filed are supplied to all the accused.
According to the application, objections were raised before the court on April 12, a day after BRS leader K Kavitha’s arrest, stating that arguments on charges cannot begin, on account of the developments.
The counsel argued, “The order is very clear. Our application isn’t even needed. When this is the situation, how can we begin arguments on charge? Heavens won’t fall if the arguments are not started for 15 days. The predecessor judge gave power to this court to halt proceedings if someone was arrested”.
K Kavitha’s counsel, Advocate Nitesh Rana, on behalf of the defence counsel, requested the court to decide first on the application filed seeking to defer arguments on charges before the CBI proceeds with its arguments.
However, the court did not consider the objections and decided to continue the proceedings and let the CBI argue the framing of charges.
Subsequently, multiple defence counsel walked out as soon as the CBI counsel began arguing.
The Special CBI Judge, Kaweri Baweja, can be heard saying, “How can they walk out like this?”
Later during the hearing, while the defence counsels explained that there was no walkout and their associates were present inside the courtroom, the judge said that it was something she saw for the first time in her career as a judge.
"It’s something I have seen for the first time. You make your submissions and walk out. You didn’t even stay. What kind of conduct is this? Arguments start and are left?" the court remarked.
The court, later, asked the CBI to file documents, including a table detailing the statements of witnesses and accused as well as the evidence, by May 7, when the hearing will continue.
Published By: Ajmal Published On: Apr 25, 2024
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