lackluster attitude from the six former JVM legislators, now with the BJP, continued in the hearing even this time around as only a single witness was presented before the Speaker’s court on Friday’s hearing. Santosh Sahu gave his testimony on the behalf of Randheer Singh, a Minister in the Raghubar Das Government.
The tribunal of Speaker Dinesh Oraon again snubbed his lawyer for this. “He made a harsh comment to this and said that the despite directing to present at least 6-7 witnesses on every hearing, there is no response from their side. The Speaker told the defense to understand the sentiments of the court. To this the lawyer replied that this was not his fault which provoked him further and he observed that it means the counsel has no control over his client,” said an official of Assembly present in the court.
lawyer from JVM’s side RN Sahay cross examined the lone witness presented. “I asked him about the said meeting in which the merger of the JVM into the BJP had taken place. He claimed that he was present in the crowd at Daladali chowk where the decision was made. I asked whether JVM president Babulal Marandi was present over there to which he said that Marandi was to come there but did not come. Clearly he was giving a completely false statement,” said Sahay.
Reacting to snail pace hearing undergoing into the case, Sahay said that he filed a petition under the Civil Procedure Code which has provision for presenting the accused for cross examined ahead of the other witnesses presented. “I requested the court to conduct testimonies of the MlAs first and if they do not agree, debar them,” said the advocate.
As many as 73 witnesses are still lined up into the case which is expected to eat up considerable amount of time. Already about half of the tenure of the MlAs has passed. The Speaker has fixed next date of hearing for July 14.