New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to study whether the trial in poet Madhumita Shukla’s murder could be shifted to Delhi from Lucknow.
Madhumita’s sister has alleged that a fair trail isn’t possible in Lucknow, as the accused, Amarmani Tripathy, is a former minister and powerful politician in the state.
"We are conscious of the fact that CBI is endorsing the complainant's allegation," said the court. "Justice has to be done for both parties. This is a high-profile case and there is no doubt about it."
Lawyer Kamini Jaiswal, who argued for Madhumita’s sister Nidhi Shukla, said witnesses have been threatened and offered money. Jaiswal alleged Nidhi was offered Rs 1 crore and threatened when she refused.
Jaiswal claimed Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had in April 2005 made a statement favouring Tripathi, who was allegedly using cell phones and meeting visitors in prison.
The lawyer claimed that even the CBI had written a letter to the state’s Principal Secretary, UP, and Inspector General of Prisons about the privileges Tripathi was getting in jail.
Defence lawyer Rakesh Dwivedi opposing shifting the trial and said the CBI had complained about the jail and not Tripathi. Shifted the trial would cause inconvenience to witnesses and the accused.
Comments
0 comment