Sohrabuddin: Two days before case opens, judge shifted

The transfer of designated POTA Judge Sonia Gokani has left lawyers divided over who will preside over case.

The transfer of designated POTA Judge Sonia Gokani as Registrar recruitment in the Gujarat High Court, two days before the prosecution was going to open the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case before the sessions court, has left lawyers divided on whether she would preside over the case on Thursday when the trial begins. Gokani and four other judges were transferred by the High Court on Tuesday.

Gokani, known for her no-nonsense approach, has presided over cases like the Akshardham terrorist attack case and the Haren Pandya murder case. The Sohrabuddin fake encounter case was also slated for hearing before her, after the case was committed to sessions court for trial. Public Prosecutor V P Atre says, 8220;You will know tomorrow whether she takes up the matter or not.8221; It was business as usual for Gokani today as she went through her work.

District and Sessions Court officials say that Gokani may still hear the Sohrabuddin case as she is yet to receive the copy of the transfer order. However, a lawyer connected with the case says, 8220;Normally, after transfer orders, judges do not proceed with sensitive cases. I doubt if she will hear the matter.8221;

On Thursday, the prosecution is set to formally open the case against the police officers involved in the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Under Section 226 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the prosecutor is entitled to open his case by describing the charges brought against the accused and the evidence with which he proposes to prove their guilt.

Other judges transferred are A S Rana, principal district judge, Himmatnagar as additional city sessions at Ahmedabad, KK Bhatt, Palnpur District Judge as registrar in the HC, AC Rao, a registrar in the HC has been transferred to the city civil court and VM Chaudhary, ahmedabad district court judge has been transferred to Kutch.

Gokani was designated as a POTA judge in 2003.