2008 blasts case to be tried in-camera
TNN | Updated: Mar 30, 2019, 06:25 IST
On July 26, 2008, 19 bombs had rocked the city, killing 56 persons and leaving more than 200 injured. AHMEDABAD: One decade after the case for the serial blasts in the city in 2008 began, the special court has barred the entry of persons other than advocates involved with the case in the courtroom and decided to conduct proceedings in-camera.
Special judge A R Patel ordered the in-camera trial citing the need to ensure the security of the lives of secret witnesses and their relatives, after the state government expressed apprehensions in this regard. There are 26 secret witnesses in this case and many of them have already deposed. The court ordered that only lawyers representing the prosecution and defence be allowed in the courtroom. Even the investigating officers and court staff will be allowed to enter only if their presence is needed. The court invoked its powers under Section 44 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
On March 25, the head of the investigation team asked the court to hold the trial in-camera. He expressed fear that the lives of secret witnesses and their relatives could be in danger in the future because persons not involved in the case remain present in the courtroom while witnesses depose.
The judge agreed to the proposal saying, “The court has also noticed that while secret witnesses depose many people including women remain present in the courtroom. The prosecution’s request that necessary steps should be taken to protect the lives of secret witnesses and their relatives in the future hence appears fair and reasonable.”
The court further said, “Proceedings have taken place in open court through video-conferencing, but when the question of the security of witnesses and their relatives arises, it is the court’s duty to ensure that their lives are not put in danger and the secret witnesses’ identities are not revealed in society.”
More than a decade ago, a magisterial court had ordered in-camera proceedings when the accused persons’ remand applications were being heard.
On July 26, 2008, 19 bombs had rocked the city, killing 56 persons and leaving more than 200 injured. Nearly 80 persons have been facing trial in this case for the last 10 years.
Special judge A R Patel ordered the in-camera trial citing the need to ensure the security of the lives of secret witnesses and their relatives, after the state government expressed apprehensions in this regard. There are 26 secret witnesses in this case and many of them have already deposed. The court ordered that only lawyers representing the prosecution and defence be allowed in the courtroom. Even the investigating officers and court staff will be allowed to enter only if their presence is needed. The court invoked its powers under Section 44 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
On March 25, the head of the investigation team asked the court to hold the trial in-camera. He expressed fear that the lives of secret witnesses and their relatives could be in danger in the future because persons not involved in the case remain present in the courtroom while witnesses depose.
The judge agreed to the proposal saying, “The court has also noticed that while secret witnesses depose many people including women remain present in the courtroom. The prosecution’s request that necessary steps should be taken to protect the lives of secret witnesses and their relatives in the future hence appears fair and reasonable.”
The court further said, “Proceedings have taken place in open court through video-conferencing, but when the question of the security of witnesses and their relatives arises, it is the court’s duty to ensure that their lives are not put in danger and the secret witnesses’ identities are not revealed in society.”
More than a decade ago, a magisterial court had ordered in-camera proceedings when the accused persons’ remand applications were being heard.
On July 26, 2008, 19 bombs had rocked the city, killing 56 persons and leaving more than 200 injured. Nearly 80 persons have been facing trial in this case for the last 10 years.
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