SC raps riot prosecutors for going to press

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed anguish over the role of two special public prosecutors, who went public with their allegations against the special judge hearing the Gujarat riots cases in Ahmedabad.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed anguish over the role of two special public prosecutors, who went public with their allegations against the special judge hearing the Gujarat riots cases in Ahmedabad.

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The three-judge bench disapproved of the way the prosecutors aired their grievances against the judge through the media. “We disapprove of this. They are degrading the judicial system,” said the bench headed by Justice D. K. Jain.

It made strong remarks against the second prosecutor who recently shot an e-mail to special investigating team (SIT) head R.K. Raghavan, citing his inability to continue with the case. “This is no way to behave. Write e-mails and then give interviews to show that you are the best,” the bench added.

A shocked court said the prosecutor’s behaviour would become a precedent. “These special prosecutors were handpicked by the state’s Chief Justice. If they do not want to continue, they can simply withdraw. Infact, why should they withdraw? They are duty- bound to conduct the trial of the case without raising allegations against the presiding officer,”the bench stated.

The court found support in senior advocate Harish Salve, assisting the bench in the matter, who felt that the prosecutors should have informed the state advocate general if there were any complaints against the judge. He was permitted a meeting on May 1 with Raghavan and the two police officers whose removal from SIT has been sought. The bench granted 15 days time to the SIT to file its report in the Ehsaan Jafri murder case. The SIT can file its report by May 15.