Reluctance of defence counsel baffles court

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27

Observing that the lawyers representing Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and other accused are not interested in final arguments in Ranjit Singh murder case, CBI Special Judge Jagdeep Singh has said the “court cannot turn a blind eye to the vexations or oppressive conduct”.

“It is a settled law that speedy trial is not an exclusive right of the accused, but also a right of the victim. It will be a grave mistake to assume that delay in trial does not cause acute suffering and anguish to the victims of the offence,” said the judge.

The judge made the comments when an application was moved on behalf of the dera chief for adjourning the case for four weeks as it was claimed that his lawyer PK Sandhir was not well.

“When the process of the court is abused at the drop of a hat, there is a miscarriage of justice and justice, the queen of all virtues, sheds tears,” said the order.

Adjourning the matter to February 3, the judge said in case defence counsel “are not interested to come to court to address arguments”, they “are granted an opportunity to submit written submissions”.

Former dera manager Ranjit Singh was murdered in 2002. Along with the dera chief, Krishan Lal, Jasbir, Avtaar and Sabdil are accused in the case. Another accused, Indersain, had died last year. It is one of the oldest pending murder cases in Haryana.