HC ruling in DDA scam

Fri, May 9 01:05 AM

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that the order on framing of charges against DDA scam accused including Shamit Mukherjee, a former HC judge, would be delivered by the Additional Sessions Judge, who had earlier heard the arguments in the matter, but was later transferred. Justice S.

Murlidhar passed the order on the plea of CBI, which had approached the High Court after Judge I.K.

Kochar, who was hearing the case was transferred. The investigating agency contended that the coming of a new judge would further delay the proceeding, as the matter would be heard afresh.

"The learned Judge I.K.

Kochar will in addition to her duties as ADSJ continue as special judge, CBI till such time she passes the order on charge," Justice Murlidhar said. The High Court directed all the accused to be present before the judge on May nine when the date for the pronouncement of orders would be fixed.

Kochar, who had heard arguments on charge against the accused - including Mukherjee, on the directions of the HC, had been shunted out of the case at a crucial juncture, the CBI counsel had earlier pointed out. The CBI had argued that she had fixed May 13 for pronouncement of order.

However, on May 3, the CBI, which is prosecuting the accused, came to know that she had been transferred.

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