By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi’s District Judge Sunita Gupta Monday paved the way for a court to resume March 6 the trial in a graft case linked to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The trial was put on hold after defence counsel raised doubts over getting a fair hearing.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Talwant Singh Feb 9 adjourned the hearing in the case and sought directions from the district judge.
Defence counsel Ramesh Gupta, appearing for former secretary general of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Lalit Bhanot, had raised doubts about getting a fair trial in the special court.
District Judge Gupta ordered: “The parties are directed to appear before the presiding officer (Judge Singh) on March 6 at 2 p.m.”
The district judge, after taking note of the order sheet submitted by Judge Singh and the plea by Gupta, said that none of them had requested the court for transferring the case out of the trial court.
The unpleasant situation could not be made a ground for transfer of this case, she said.
The district judge observed that the submission made by defence counsel suggested that he had complete faith in the trial court.
She said that even during the course of arguments there were no allegation of bias or prejudice against the presiding officer of the special court.
“In order to maintain the cordial relation between the bench and the bar it is hoped that Gupta will continue to appear in the court in this case and trial of this case would run smoothly,” she said.
The special 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 held here.