The Hindu : National : Best Bakery re-trial begins

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Tuesday, Jun 08, 2004

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National

Best Bakery re-trial begins

By Our Special Correspondent

Three of the accused in the Best Bakery case (from left:) Dinesh Rajbhar, Tulsi Tadvi and Bahadur Singh Chauvan, who were produced in a Sessions Court in Mumbai on Monday. — Photo: Vivek Bendre

MUMBAI, JUNE 7. The much awaited re-trial of the Best Bakery case, which was transferred to Mumbai by the Supreme Court on April 12, began here today.

The Additional Sessions Judge, Abhay Thipsay, who is conducting the re-trial at the Sewri Sessions court, adjourned the case to June 21 and requested the Gujarat Government to make available the chargesheet in English. Mr. Thipsay said it appeared that Gujarat was taking steps to arrest the 15 accused who were at large and it was not necessary for him to issue non-bailable warrants.

T.S. Nanavati, who appeared for the Gujarat Government, said he had received oral instructions from the Gujarat law and judiciary department to represent the State. He said the appointment of a public prosecutor was in the offing. The Government did not know about the re-trial in Mumbai till the media highlighted it, he said. However, Mr. Thipsay said telegrams had been sent to the Chief Secretary and other officials concerned about it.

The Maharashtra Government sprang a surprise when Rohini Salian, public prosecutor, Greater Mumbai, asked for 15 days' time for the State to appoint a public prosecutor in the case. Earlier, the State had said it was Gujarat's responsibility to appoint a public prosecutor. However, Mr. Thipsay said there could be only one public prosecutor. Mihir Desai, who is representing the key witness, Zaheera Sheikh, said the Supreme Court had directed that the public prosecutor be appointed in consultation with the witnesses and this had not been done. Mr. Thipsay said that he did not wish to express opinion on the appointment of the public prosecutor and the objective today was to bring the parties together.

Mr. Nanavati told the court that two more accused, Yogesh alias Painter or Lakshman Singh Verma and Suresh alias Laloo Deljibhai Vasava, were arrested in connection with the case and they would be produced before the court today. Three other accused, Bahadur Singh alias Jeetu Chandrasingh Chauhan, Dinesh Phulchand Rajbhar and Dinesh Bhitakabahi Tadvi, who are in judicial custody, were produced in court. Another accused, Ravi Rajaram Chauhan, has been released on personal bond.

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