Final judgment in Sippy Sidhu murder case expected by year-end

The court has scheduled a case management hearing schedule, as per which “eyewitnesses shall be examined in July 2024 and the dates of hearing shall be fixed with the concurrence of both sides. Material witnesses shall be examined in August and mid-September 2024 and the dates of hearing shall be fixed with the concurrence of both sides…Expert and formal witnesses shall be examined from mid-September to mid-October 2024 and the dates of hearing shall be fixed with the concurrence of both sides”.

“Investigating Officers shall be examined from mid-October to October-end 2024 and the dates of hearing shall be fixed with the concurrence of both sides…Statement of accused shall be recorded in the first week of November 2024,” as per the case management hearing schedule.

Further, the defence witnesses shall be examined from second week of November to second week of December 2024 and the dates of hearing shall be fixed with the concurrence of both sides.

The final arguments shall be advanced in the case in the third week of December 2024 and the judgment shall be pronounced thereafter.

Sidhu’s bullet-riddled body was found in a park at Sector 27 here on September 20, 2015. He was the grandson of late Justice S S Sidhu, a former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge. Kalyani is the daughter of retired high court Justice Sabina. Sidhu’s family has accused Kalyani of murdering him.

Ensure safety of witness: Court to CBI

After a request was made by an eyewitness apprehending threat to life, the court said, “The CBI is under direction from this court to ensure proper safety arrangement for the witness immediately….”