The Tribunal of the Assembly Speaker has set a deadline for all the defence witnesses to present their testimonies in the case of the six former JVM legislators joining the BJP soon after Assembly polls in 2015. The remaining witnesses have been directed to do that on the next date of hearing on November 24.
The direction came after the prosecution (JVM) argued that that matter is lingering for long and heading for a dead end since the term of the incumbent Assembly is not too far from ending.
“Till now, only 17 witnesses out of total 78 have presented themselves for recording their statements before the Tribunal. Today also, only three turned out. To this Speaker Dinesh Oraon ordered to close the statement recording process on the next date. The remaining 61 witnesses would either record their statements that day or file affidavit stating what they have to say. The court would perceive that those who do not turn out that day have nothing to say,” said RN Sahay, advocate of the JVM after the hearing taken place on Friday.
Following the order, the process of recording statements would come to an end and it would then rest on the prosecution JVM to go for cross examination. “It has already taken over two years and 10 months. When it is clear that the defence is intentionally resorting to delaying tactic, the Tribunal should have done it before. Now it is up to us whether we opt to cross examine the identical statements being recorded by them or go ahead with arguments,” said the lawyer. The two witnesses presented today were from Minister Randheer Singh and Hatia MLA Navin Jaiswal.
The JVM camp is now looking to go more attacking in the case citing the delay and put pressure on the Tribunal to decide the matter as quickly as possible. “He (Speaker Dinesh Oraon) is holding a Constitutional position. We request him to deliver judgment in our favour or reject our contention soon. The attitude is anti-democratic in nature and violation of the Constitution,” added Sahay.