Court rejects petition filed against MP Shahabuddin

Siwan, June 19 (UNI) A special court today rejected the petition of prosecution for re-examination of hostile witnesses in a case of kidnapping pending against incarcerated RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Special judge Gyaneshwar Srivastav refused to re-examine the prosecution witnesses, who had already turned hostile in the case during their deposition.

Through a petition in the case, Additional Advocate General R B Mahto said the witnesses turned hostile under undue pressure.

Earlier, in an affidavit, filed by the prosecution, it was pointed out that two witnesses had turned hostile in the case due to fear and pressure exerted by the accused.

In the affidavit, the prosecution had prayed for re-examination of the witnesses, who had urned hostile in the case.

The prayer of the prosecution was opposed by MP's counsel A K Rajan on the ground that the petition was not in accordance with law and beyond the jurisdiction of this court.

The case was related to the kidnapping of CPI(ML) worker Munna Choudhry from Rampur Vishunpurva village under Mufassil police station of Siwan district on January 8, 2001.

Munna Choudhry had been traceless till date.

Altogether 21 prosecution witnesses, including the father, mother and sisters of the victim, had turned hostile during the deposition in the court.

UNI