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Special Public Prosecutor Ms. Rohini Salian yesterday shocked the species MCOC court when she submitted a letter, expressing her willingness to withdraw from the Ghatkopar bomb blast trial.
She told special judge Mr. A.P. Bhangale that she was forced to take the step on account of the ‘constant nagging and delaying tactics’ adopted by the defence during the conduct of the trial.
One of the grounds for her keeping distance from the trial was the allegation of religious biasness extended against her by the defence lawyers. At one stage of the trial she had allegedly stated that the prosecution was aware of the persons behind the crime. There was a hue and cry over her statement as the defence counsels brought to the notice of the judge that her rhetorics would invite legal actions, under the provisions of the special Act. According to a provision in the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), if anyone knowingly suppress any information about any case tried under the Act, is liable to be charged under it. And hence if the prosecution does not reveals the information would attract the provision of the Act.
In her letter, Ms. Salian has cited the non-cooperative attitude of the defence lawyers, which, she said was an attempt to confuse the witnesses.
Judge Bhangale adjourned the proceedings to August 16. He also advised Ms. Salian not to take any impulsive decision and review her decision over the week-end.
The case
The Ghatkopar bomb blast took place
on December 2, 2002 in a BEST bus, just outside Ghatkopar railway station.
Eight persons had been arrested in connection with the blast and the chargesheet
was submitted on July 5, 2003. Advocate Amin Solkar and Advocate
Saeed Azami are the defence counsels in the case.
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