HC advances hearing on petition against CM

Jabalpur (MP), Apr 25 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court today advanced the hearing on a petition challenging withdrawal of a criminal case against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan by a week.

Justice Manjusha Namjoshi advanced the hearing after hearing the state government's side on the petition filed by Raisen-resident Siddarth Gupta, The petitioner said withdrawal of a pending case against Mr Chouhan and 17 other accused before Gauharganj First Class Judicial Magistrate's court was permitted.

He said Mr Chouhan was granted bail in 1995-96 in the case.

However, he was declared absconding, as he did not appear in the court.

He said Gauharganj public prosecutor had requested in a lower court for withdrawal of the case on December 6, 2005. The court approved the withdrawal, which was illegal and deserved to be quashed.

Additional Attorney General T S Rooprah said the administration had decided to withdraw the case against the CM and the accused in view of public interest. He demanded that the petition be quashed.

UNI XC-PS RL HT2145