1993 serial bomb blasts trial court judge P D Kode transferred

Mumbai, Apr 15 (UNI) Designated TADA court judge P D Kode, who created a record by holding the trial in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case for 14 years, was today transferred to City Civil and Sessions Court as 'Principal session judge'.

Mr Kode, who took charge of the TADA court on March 29, 1996, had conducted one of the lengthiest trias of the Indian judiciary and awarded conviction to 100 accused, ranging from three years imprisonment to death penalty.

He created a record of performance by not taking a single leave during the court proceedings even when his father passed away. That day, he had attended the funeral after the court proceeding.

Known for hard work, Judge Kode had conducted the trial on a daily basis. Even during the court's vacation, he used to conduct the trial. He recorded the voluminuous evidence running into more than 45,000 pages and 686 witnesses deposed before him.

Having started his carrer as a defence advocate in the adjoining Thane city, he was the public prosecutor in Thane city civil and Sessions court.

He received the transfer-cum-promotion order this evening.

Earlier in the day, he began the separate trials of extradited gangster Abu Salem and others. He also issued summons to two witnesses directing them to appear before the court tomorrow.

UNI AAA HS AS2028