2 min readMumbaiJun 13, 2014 04:41 AM IST
First published on: Jun 13, 2014 at 04:41 AM IST
Dey, a senior journalist working with Mid-Day, was shot on June 11, 2011, allegedly by two assailants.
Three years after the murder of journalist J Dey, the special MCOCA court is yet to begin the trial in the case. The special court, which has been handling several high- profile cases including terror cases, had recently told the prosecution and defence lawyers that it was overburdened with High Court-expedited cases and would not be able to take up the case soon.
It has been nearly two years since the prosecution has submitted draft charges to the court. But the court is yet to frame charges in the case. “The court is presently busy with terror related trials expedited by the High Court and hence has delayed the trial in this (Dey murder) case,” said Jayesh Vithlani, who represents Jigna Vora, a former journalist and an accused in the case.
The court is at present handling the 2008 Indian Mujahideen case, in which over 20 persons have been booked for alleged involvement in terror activities. Dey, a senior journalist working with Mid-Day, was shot on June 11, 2011, allegedly by two assailants. Police said the assailants were paid a contract amount of Rs 5 lakh. Eleven persons, including Vora, have been named as an accused in the case.
Owing to the court’s decision to delay the trial, an alleged member of Chhota Rajan gang arrested in the case, had moved the court seeking bail. The accused, who is HIV positive, had cited his health as one of the grounds for bail. He, in his application filed from jail, claimed that his condition had been deteriorating and that the delay in trial could cost him dearly. Although, the prosecution did not object to his application, the court rejected it.
“The accused had moved an application for bail on similar grounds in the past too. The court rejected the application and directed him to avail treatment at JJ hospital,” said police inspector Vilas Datirey.
sukanya.shetty@expressindia.com
Dey, a senior journalist working with Mid-Day, was shot on June 11, 2011, allegedly by two assailants.
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