The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Ashish Mishra, the prime accused in mowing down of four farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh in October 202, to respond to the allegation that witnesses were being threatened.
Pointing to the low conviction rate in the money laundering cases, a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the trial is yet to commence and, with 183 witnesses to be examined, will take a long time.
Speaking at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association to celebrate ‘Constitution Day’, the Chief Justice lauded the role played by the Bar in making the judiciary a robust institution.
The Rajasthan government has also tendered an apology in the court for reported contempt of the court in the case of land acquisition.
"What happens is, if you win the elections, EVMs are not tampered with," the apex court pointed out.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said: “I will have a bench constituted. Need to break two benches for it. Will look at it this evening.”
The Supreme Court said that though the CBI counsel has vehemently opposed the bail pleas, there are at least three factors that tilt the balance in favour of the appellants.
In her petition, the complainant challenged the premature release of 11 convicts in her gangrape and murder of family members in 2002 Gujarat riots.
The Supreme Court will constitute a bench to hear a plea challenging the pre-mature release of 11 convicts who had gang-raped Bilkis Bano.
The party has also demanded a Supreme Court monitored time-bound probe into the matter.
