CWG case: Lawyer doubts fair trial, judge defers hearing

New Delhi -  A special CBI court hearing a corruption case related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games Thursday put off the proceedings till an order from the district judge after lawyer for an accused doubted he would get fair trial.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Talwant Singh adjourned the hearing till Feb 23, awaiting the district judge's order, when lawyer Ramesh Gupta, appearing for former general secretary of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Lalit Bhanot, raised doubts over getting a fair trial.

The court was hearing a case against Bhanot and 10 others in a corruption case related to alleged financial irregularities in awarding a Rs.141 crore contract for the time scoring and records system for the mega sporting event.

Gupta said that the public prosecutor and a policeman posted in the court kept entering the chamber of the judge off and on, which gave an impression to accused, advocates and the press that a fair trial was not being conducted.

The judge after hearing Gupta sent the case file to the district judge and refused to hold any proceedings till an order by the latter.

“Matter is adjourned to Feb 23, for awaiting further directions in this regard,” said Judge Singh.

Judge Singh added that the conduct of counsel Gupta be brought to the notice of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

Judge Singh said that allegation made by Gupta were false. “In my humble view it is not expected from an advocate designated as a senior advocate to make false allegations to lower the dignity of this court in the eyes of litigants, advocates and public at large when he has no basis to make such allegations,” added the judge.