New Delhi — The additional Sessions Judge, Mr. Mahesh Chandra, on Saturday directed the Delhi Administration to produce Ranjit Singh prime accused in the murder of Nirankari chief Baba Gurbachan Singh in the open court before him on February 26 to stand the trial.
Dismissing the petition of the administration to hold the trial in Tihar Central Jail where the accused is presently lodged,
Mr. Mahesh Chandra said unless the Delhi High Court issued a direction the trial could not be held in the prison.
Mr. Mahesh Chandra, who has been assigned to conduct the trial proceedings of the case in his order observed: “I hold that in view of the legal position, the application of the Delhi Administration cannot be allowed.”
The Administration had urged court to hold the
trial proceedings in the jail on the ground that two parties, Akalis and the Nirankaris, were interested in the result of the case and were likely to appear along with their supporters in front of the court which might cause a law and order problem.
It had further submitted that in view of the fluid state of affairs in Punjab and other parts of the country, the proceedings should be held within the jail.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 1, 1985
