Spl court to hear perjury trial of Zahira on June 5

Mumbai, Jun 4: The special court which conducted the retrial of the Best Bakery case would hear the perjury trial case tomorrow against Zahira and her two family members, for giving false evidence during the re-trial of the case.

Last month, the perjury trial was adjourned by Judge Abhay Thipsay following the filing of a revision application by Zahira and her family members before the Bombay High Court, challenging the verdict of special court.

Adjourning the trial proceedings, the judge directed Zahira's counsel to bring the stay order from the High Court till then, otherwise, he said he will continue to hear the perjury trial and no more adjournment will be entertained thereafter.

Judge Thipsay had issued perjury notice against Zahira, her mother Sehrunissa, brother Nassibullah and sister Saherabanu, under section 344 of CrPC for giving false evidence during re-trial of the infamous Best Bakery case.

However, the special court on May 16 convicted Sehrunissa, and sentenced her to three-month rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 500 under perjury charges.

But later, the court granted her one month's time to challenge the order in the higher court, as sought by her, and she was released on a personal bond.

Counsel Umesh Deshpande, appearing for Zahira and others said the court had made several adverse remarks against his clients, who were the prosecution witness in the case, therefore, they have challenged it in the High Court.

The special court here, which conducted re-trial of the Best Bakery case of Vadodara, had convicted nine accused to life imprisonment while acquitting eight others.

Besides, 17 accused had been re-arrested after their acquittal by a fast track court in Vadodara due to lack of evidence, while four others are still absconding.

Meanwhile, Zahira is serving a year's sentence in the Byculla jail here for contempt of court, awarded by the Supreme Court on March eight.

UNI