RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb.27: As many as 98 undertrial prisoners facing trial in the NIA court wrote a letter to Chief Justice of India alleging NIA court judge M.K.Verma of being ‘mouth piece’ and ‘post office’ of the prosecution.
Copy of the letter has also been given to the Supreme Court registrar general, Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice and all those whom they thought it proper to inform regarding their opinion regarding a judge.
They have requested for fair trial saying they do not see any hope of justice from the present NIA special judge court.
“Fair trial is guaranteed by the Constitution under Article 21. We used to face trials through VC from Birsa Munda Central Jail. We don’t know much about the law but at least our counsel, as well as we, have the right to be heard,” the letter reads.
“Fair trial obviously would mean a trial before an impartial judge, a fair prosecutor and atmosphere of judicial calm. Witnesses get threatened and are forced to give false evidence in our case. Even eye witnesses recorded under 164 of Cr PC were given a copy of their statements recorded earlier and they used to read it by line with the help of NIA special PP,” the letter further reads.
Levelling allegations against the judge, the letter further reads: “…..Our Hon’ble NIA special judge has become a mouthpiece as well as post office of prosecution. Atmosphere of the court has become hostile. We feel as if we are already proven guilty and only formalities are going on. Any witness in their chief examination tries to depose actual facts; they are threatened by a special NIA judge of dire consequences… Our spl NIA judge is not performing his judicial duty…”
The prisoners are associated with 17 cases in which trial is going in the NIA special judge court. They have put the number of their cases and signature in the letter. The prisoners have taken the action exercising their right given in the jail manual.
An insider said that the situation arose after the prosecution counsel produced a witness ‘unwarranted’ and ‘uncalled for’ and the court allowed his examination. So far it has not been clear who the witness was and why the court allowed his examination despite the objection of the defence lawyer.
Meanwhile a complaint has also been made to the Ranchi District Bar Association about the act of Ranchi Civil Court Judge Madhuresh Kumar Verma. More than 50 civil court lawyers have said in a written complaint to the RDBA that Judge Madhuresh Kumar Verma’s behavior is not good towards the defence lawyers and he misbehaves with the defence lawyers as well as the witnesses
After this letter was received by the association, the association held an emergency meeting with the lawyers. Along with this, talks were also held with the principal judicial commissioner of Ranchi Civil Court on this issue.
