Defence aborts CBI conusel's attempt to play Marathi card

Mumbai, Mar 12 (UNI) Central Bureau of Investigation's special public prosecutor's attempt to play Marathi card in the TADA court here was today aborted by a senior defence lawyer before Judge Pramod Kode could respond on the issue.

For the first time during prolonged trial of the 1993 serial bomb blast case, CBI counsel Ujwal Nikam sought the court's permission to argue in Marathi over a plea made by 69 convicts seeking parity with Bollywood actor-convict Sanjay Dutt. Citing a High Court ruling, Mr Nikam said defence and prosecution can argue matters in Marathi.

Dutt has been acquitted of the terror charge but held guilty under the Arms Act for possessing firearms. The 69 convicts sought parity, saying they, too, should be held guilty only under the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and acquitted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

Mr Mustaq Ahmed, who appeared on behalf of the 69 convicts, pleaded that he is an outsider and did not know Marathi. Me Ahmed, who practices in the Supreme Court, hails from Bihar.

Before the court could respond on the issue, senior defence lawyer Abbas Qazmi, who represents accused Ejaz Pathan, came to Mr Ahmed's rescue and said in that case let Chief Public Prosecutor N Natrajan also argue in Marathi. Mr Natrajan hails from Chennai.

After every body had a hearty laught inside the court, Mr Nikam argued the matter in English as he has been doing all these years.

UNI