Adjust calendar for MCOCA trial, Bombay HC tells sessions judge

MUMBAI: Bombay high court has told a sessions judge seeking further extension of year to complete the trial in a case under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to adjust his calendar for it.
Justice Bharati Dangre on August 25 took note of the communication sent by the district and additional sessions judge, Thane.
In September 2019, the HC had directed the trial to be concluded within a year. The sessions judge said due to the pandemic only urgent matters, such as bail etc, were heard and the court resumed hearings from February 14, 2022.
Out of 74 pending cases, 58 are of MCOCA and 5 are to be decided in a time bound manner.
"An explanation about the time consumed in hearing and disposing of bail applications is projected as an excuse to justify the slow pace for disposal of the special case,'' said Justice Bharati Dangre.
She "reminded" the sessions judge that when HC has directed expeditious trial within a stipulated period as the applicant was in custody for 4 years, "the aforesaid reasons shall not justify the request."
"The (sessions) court has to adjust its calendar/schedule in such a way that the trials which are expedited and where the accused are languishing in jail for considerable time, are given priority,'' said Justice Bharati Dangre.
Noting that the case is pending since 6 years, she granted 6 months to conclude the trial. "The learned judge shall take this case as time bound and adjust his calendar accordingly," she added.