New Delhi: A Delhi court has warned a defence counsel against making a false plea or trying to “keep the court in thedark deliberately” while hearing a case regarding the 2020 Delhi riots.
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala said, “This practice had been deprecated in the past but to no avail. A warning is recorded herein to desist from making false pleas before the court or to make any endeavour to keep the court in the dark deliberately.”
The court was hearing a riot case against Firoz Khan and others, registered at New Usmanpur police station, which was at the stage of cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.
The court noted that thesix accused — Firoz Khan, Sirajuddin, Shakir Ali, Iqbal, Zakir Ali and Anas — who were granted bail, had appeared beforethe court. But the advocatefor the five accused, except Khan, took a passover stating that Khan’s counsel, Mehmood Pracha, would appear in thecourt in five minutes.
However, the counsel submitted that Pracha was notfeeling well but was on his way to the court.
Following this, the advocate offered to start cross-examination on behalf of the five accused, to which the court agreed.
Pracha later joined theproceedings when a prosecution witness was being cross-examined.
The matter has been scheduled for Feb 16 for furtherproceedings.
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala said, “This practice had been deprecated in the past but to no avail. A warning is recorded herein to desist from making false pleas before the court or to make any endeavour to keep the court in the dark deliberately.”
The court was hearing a riot case against Firoz Khan and others, registered at New Usmanpur police station, which was at the stage of cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.
The court noted that thesix accused — Firoz Khan, Sirajuddin, Shakir Ali, Iqbal, Zakir Ali and Anas — who were granted bail, had appeared beforethe court. But the advocatefor the five accused, except Khan, took a passover stating that Khan’s counsel, Mehmood Pracha, would appear in thecourt in five minutes.
However, the counsel submitted that Pracha was notfeeling well but was on his way to the court.
Following this, the advocate offered to start cross-examination on behalf of the five accused, to which the court agreed.
Pracha later joined theproceedings when a prosecution witness was being cross-examined.
The matter has been scheduled for Feb 16 for furtherproceedings.