MPHC stays hearings against speaker, ministers

Jabalpur, June 21 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court today stayed hearings by the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) in a criminal case wherein state Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi, Fisheries Minister Moti Kashyap and six others stand accused.

While hearing an appeal by the state government, Justice Rakesh Saxena set July 16 as the next date for hearing.

''The government had decided to drop charges against the three.

An application of this nature was submitted to the CJM but rejected on April 5. The CJM's ruling was challenged in the District and Sessions Court,'' said Advocate-General Ravinandan Singh.

On September 24, 1984, the three leaders were involved in the BJP local unit's demonstration in front of Belbagh Police Station.

After the demonstration, saffron party workers pelted stones at police, injuring several personnel, and generated chaos at the police station. A case was registered against 22 BJP workers including the three leaders. The lower court framed charges on April 5.

UNI