The Orissa High Court has rejected an accused pair’s request to transfer an acid-attack trial, but ordered the proceedings to continue in camera to protect fairness and reduce courtroom pressure.
The petitioners said the victim, a 64-year-old lawyer, belonged to the local bar and alleged that lawyers’ presence created an intimidating atmosphere. Court records, however, showed no bar resolution obstructing representation. Six of 25 prosecution witnesses had already testified, while delays were attributed principally to the absence of other witnesses.
Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra directed the Sessions Judge at Gajapati to conduct the remainder behind closed doors and conclude it at the earliest. The local bar’s president and secretary must ensure that members create no hindrance, and the trial court must follow existing directions for time-bound acid-attack cases. The order addresses the accused’s concern through controlled proceedings without displacing the trial from its existing court.
