Judge wants to withdraw case, unhappy with its slow pace

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) Can a layman expect to get justice from the courts if a judge wants to withdraw her case saying she has no hope of getting justice? Additional Sessions Judge Sujata Kohli has sought to withdraw her case saying she has "no hope of getting justice".

In 1994, lawyers in the city's Tis Hazari court complex went on strike responding to a call by the trial court's bar association. Ms Kohli, who was then an advocate did not participate in the strike.

This did not go down well with the bar members and they allegedly misbehaved with her. She filed a complaint against the bar members accusing them with molestation, among other charges.

However, after 12 years not much progress has been made and only sometime ago, charges have been framed in the case.

Even the charges framed are watered down, she claims. While she levelled serious allegations, only 'lighter' offences have been framed against the accused, she alleged.

Fed up with the state of affairs, especially with the pace of the case, she has moved an application before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjeev Jain, who is hearing the matter, seeking to withdraw from the prosecution.

The ACMM is yet to decide on the request.

UNI XC SAM MIR BST1224