The Supreme Court on Friday criticised the Karnataka government for “taking lightly” the trial of People’s Democratic Party leader and 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts case accused Abdul Nasir Maudany and proposed the State to set up a separate court dedicated to the trial.
A Bench led by Justice J. Chelameswar said the accused person should not languish in jail as his trial proceeds at a snail's pace and every effort should be made on the State government's side to expedite the trial and deliver justice in the case.
Appearing for the State, senior advocate Raju Ramachandran sought time to seek instructions on the apex court's oral recommendation for setting up a special court.
The hearing came on an application made by Mr. Maudany that he has to travel at least two hours from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to attend trial proceedings held at a sessions court in Bengaluru city. He said the time taken for the travel and the distance have become debilitating factors for conducting an effective trial. He contended that earlier the trial was held in a special court inside the prison complex, but the case was shifted out.
His lawyers, advocates Prashant Bhushan and Haris Beeran, submitted that the Karnataka government, despite its assurance in November to complete the trial in four months, has sought another two years. They have also applied for re-calling 24 witnesses in the case.
Mr. Ramachandran submitted that the trial is being conducted for four days every week at the designated court for NIA (National Investigation Agency) cases in Bengaluru city.
In November 2014, the Supreme Court allowed conditional bail to Mr. Maudany, accused in the 2008 serial blasts case, while ordering the Karnataka government to complete the trial within four months.
Mr. Maudany was first granted bail on July 11, 2014 on the ground of medical treatment and has been given extensions time and again by the Supreme Court.
