The Supreme Court has put the brakes on a cheating case trial involving Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti, responding to his plea to shift proceedings out of the state. The decision comes amid claims that defence witnesses faced coercion.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan underscored the importance of a fair trial, emphasizing that the accused must have a full and lawful opportunity to mount a defence. The judges made it clear that ensuring this right is the responsibility of the state.
During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Bharti, alleged that defence witnesses were taken to a hotel and pressured to give statements against his client. When questioned, the Additional Advocate General (AAG) for Madhya Pradesh dismissed the allegations but failed to provide evidence that any inquiry had been conducted.
Justice Oka did not hide his dissatisfaction, criticizing the state’s dismissive stance. “Look at the attitude of the AAG. He is not answering simple questions. He is not able to understand the seriousness of the case,” he remarked.
The Court has directed the state to submit a response within two weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for February 28.
