On Wednesday(24th April),Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court as defense lawyers walked out during the Delhi excise policy case hearing. The court permitted the CBI to proceed with framing charges, prompting objections from the defense.
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NEW DELHI: The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi was the center of heightened drama on Wednesday(24th April), as a significant legal showdown unfolded during the hearing of the Delhi excise policy case. The courtroom witnessed a remarkable walkout by defense lawyers after the court decided to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to proceed with arguments on the framing of charges, despite objections from the defense.
The case encompasses 16 individuals facing allegations, among them being Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia. Nonetheless, the defense lawyers sought to delay the charge arguments citing a recent CBI arrest in April.
Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj highlighted a recent court order that stated the proceedings on charges should be halted if any new suspect joins the investigation or if any supplementary chargesheet is filed.
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He argued-
“The directive is quite explicit. Our application is unnecessary in this instance. Given the circumstances, how can we proceed with charge arguments? It won’t be catastrophic if we postpone the proceedings for 15 days. The previous judge empowered this court to suspend proceedings in case of an arrest.”
The counsel representing K Kavitha, Advocate Nitesh Rana, requested the court to first decide on the application seeking a deferment of arguments on charges before allowing the CBI to proceed. However, the court disregarded the objections and chose to continue the proceedings, permitting the CBI to argue on the framing of charges.
Consequently, several defence lawyers walked out of the courtroom as soon as the CBI counsel commenced their arguments. The unexpected turn of events prompted Special CBI Judge Kaweri Baweja to express her astonishment, saying-
“How could they leave in such a manner?”
During the hearing, the defence counsels clarified that there was no walkout and that their associates remained present inside the courtroom. Nevertheless, the judge remarked that such conduct was unprecedented in her career as a judge, stating-
“This is the first time I’ve witnessed such behavior. You present your case and then leave without even staying to engage further. What kind of behavior is this? Arguments are initiated and then abandoned?”
Later in the proceedings, the court instructed the CBI to submit various documents, including a table detailing the statements of witnesses and accused individuals, as well as the evidence, by May 7. The hearing will resume on that date.
The Delhi excise policy case have taken a dramatic turn with the walkout by defence lawyers. The courtroom witnessed tense moments as the CBI was allowed to argue on the framing of charges, despite objections from the defence. The case, which involves several high-profile individuals, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, has faced delays due to the recent arrest made by the CBI.
The defence lawyers cited a court order that clearly stated proceedings on charges should be halted if new suspects join the investigation or supplementary chargesheets are filed. They argued that the arguments on charges should be deferred in light of the recent arrest. However, their objections were not considered, and the court proceeded with the CBI’s arguments.
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The walkout by multiple defence counsel further intensified the courtroom drama. As soon as the CBI counsel began presenting their arguments, the defence lawyers decided to leave the courtroom in protest. The unexpected move surprised the Special CBI Judge, who questioned the lawyers’ conduct. The judge expressed her disbelief, mentioning that it was the first time she had witnessed such behavior in her career.
However, the defence counsels clarified that there was no walkout and that their associates remained present inside the courtroom. Despite their explanations, the judge expressed her dissatisfaction with the conduct, emphasizing that arguments should not be left midway.
In the subsequent proceedings, the court directed the CBI to submit crucial documents, including a table enumerating the statements of witnesses and accused individuals, as well as the evidence. These documents are expected to be filed by May 7, when the hearing will resume.