2G accused move HC against shifting of trial to Tihar Jail
Around 15 defence lawyers mentioned the matter before a bench of justices S K Kaul and Rajiv Shakdher and sought its intervention on the decision to shift the trial saying it would cause a lot of inconvenience to the lawyers and the accused.
"This case is not related to any terrorist activity where there is a security threat. It is only a case of economic offence that does not warrant this decision," one of the defence lawyers said in the packed courtroom.
"Moreover, bigger courtrooms are already available in the Patiala House court complex where the trial could be conducted," he said.
Justice Kaul responded to the plea by saying, "I will personally meet the acting Chief Justice and take up the matter...
"Suppose, you do not get adequate relief, then you can always move a writ petition on the issue," he observed.
The
court
also
said
that
the
decision
to
shift
the
trial
was
an
administrative
one
which
had
been
taken
by
the
acting
chief
justice,
and
he
should
be
consulted
on
it.
The
bench
asked
the
lawyers
to
approach
it
again
later
today.
The
special
CBI
judge
conducting
the
trial
in
the
matter
had
yesterday
announced
shifting
of
the
trial
to
Tihar
Jail
from
November
24
in
accordance
with
a
Delhi
High
Court
notification
of
November
21.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9 (6) of the CrPC, 1973, the acting Chief Justice and judges of this court (Delhi High Court) have been pleased to order that the trial of the 2G spectrum cases shall be held in Tihar court complex, New Delhi, according to law," the notification, issued by the high court, read.
All the accused, including former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, have opposed the move.
"I do not know what is happening in this country. The shifting of the trial to Tihar Jail would create a lot of problems as we will not be able to properly have legal consultation with our counsel.
"Till now, the lawyers could reach Patiala House courts from the Supreme Court or the High Court within 10-15 minutes, but it would not be possible for them to reach Tihar Jail as they would have to leave all their other cases," Raja had said yesterday after the judge had apprised them of the decision to change the trial venue.
PTI