SC reserves verdict on Pappu Yadav's bail plea

New Delhi, Oct 5:The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on the bail application of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav facing trial in Ajit Sarkar murder case.

A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha and H S Bedi reserved the judgement after hearing the arguments of the petitioner and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The petitioner, who is presently lodged in the Tihar Central Jail, Delhi, had contended that the trial will take long to conclude as the State was deliberately delaying the trial by seeking adjournment on flimsy grounds.

The petitioner also contended that all the materials of the prosecution witnesses have already been examined and there is no chance of the petitioner influencing or intimidating the witnesses.

The CBI, on the other hand, told the court that the past track record of the petitioner, who was found canvassing in the elections in Bihar despite being in jail under the Supreme Court order, and also caught throwing parties for gangsters inside the jail in Bihar, should be kept in mind.

According to the CBI, it was the accused who was responsible for delaying the trial and also gave details of the adjournments sought by the petitioner.

The CBI also contended that free and fair trial will not be possible if the accused is a free man as some of the prosecution witnesses were yet to be examined.

CPM activist Ajit Sarkar was killed in broad daylight in Bihar in 1999 and the RJD MP is the prime accused in the case.

UNI