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Journalism of Courage
A Delhi court on Thursday said that AAP activists and supporters of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia would not be permitted to enter the courtroom, the gallery or passage when he is produced in the court next.
Special Judge MK Nagpal’s order came after Sisodia was allegedly manhandled by the police when he was produced in court last month.
An application for his production through video conferencing was moved by the lockup-in-charge at the Rouse Avenue District Court.
The police also submitted in the application that some supporters and media persons were present there who tried to get close to the accused for taking selfies or for other reasons.
The court said that hybrid hearings were allowed and that “directions can be given by this court for production of the said accused in court during hearing of the matter, unless and until physical presence of the accused is felt necessary for the purposes of proceedings of case, through VC (video conferencing) only and not physically…to ensure safety of the accused”.
“What prejudice is being caused if he is being produced through video conferencing? Video conferencing is as good as physical production,” Special Judge Nagpal said.
Sisodia’s counsel, Vivek Jain, argued that Sisodia has a “right to be produced physically in the court for effective hearings and effective participation in proceedings of the case.” He further said that it was the duty of the concerned security officials to protect the accused and that his rights should not be curtailed due to security failures or lapses.
Next date of hearing is fixed for July 31 where Sisodia will be produced physically before the Court.
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