Accused springs national anthem surprise on judge

The day’s drill began as usual with the accused introducing themselves before camera, one by one. They would leave the hall after the judge told them of the remand and next date of hearing. Till Madhav Muttha Devadiga, a stamp vendor, came before the camera. No sooner had he introduced himself, than he began singing the national anthem.

Judge Shembole was the first to react — he issued immediate orders to stop video-conferencing. A few seconds later, video-conferencing restarted but Devadiga was still singing. The proceedings were halted for a second time.

A short while later, when the link was restored, Devadiga, now silent, was told of the next date of hearing.

This apart, the court’s business went off smoothly. Main accused Abdul Karim Telgi complained that the jail authorities were insisting on reading some confidential papers that he wanted handed over to his lawyer, Harshad Nimbalkar. The judge asked Telgi to move an application seeking the court’s permission to hand over papers without interception.

Nimbalkar reiterated his demand that Telgi, who is HIV positive, be treated at a private hospital. He moved a separate application on behalf former MLA Anil Gote pleading that he be permitted to undergo treatment at the Naturopathy Centre at Uruli. Gote, he said, had been admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic since March 31 but wasn’t responding to the antibiotics he was being given. Hence the request for change in treatment.