The Hindu : National : Bakery case: judge visits `scene of crime' twice

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 28, 2005

National

National

Bakery case: judge visits `scene of crime' twice

Special Correspondent

VADODARA: : The Additional Sessions Judge at the Mazagaon special court in Mumbai, Abhay Thipsay, hearing the re-trial of the controversial Best Bakery communal riot case, visited the "scene of the crime'' at Hanuman Tekri on the outskirts of Vadodara. Both the prosecution and the defence lawyers accompanied the judge for the personal "first hand knowledge of the situation."

The visit was taken up at the behest of the defence counsels, who petitioned the court in October last year, for a personal visit by the presiding judge.

Mr. Thipsay visited the site on Thursday night and Friday morning to understand the situation in the darkness as well as in broad daylight, to weigh the statements of the witnesses. On Thursday night, he also requested the Gujarat Electricity Board officials to switch off the lights in the immediate neighbourhood to recreate the situation as on March 1, 2002, when the bakery was attacked. He also climbed up the stairs to the third floor roof top, where the prime witness, Zahira Sheikh, and her family members were hiding, apparently to check if it was possible for anyone to identify the attackers from that distance in total darkness.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section

"Delay in replacing submarine fleet a serious matter"

Harsud residents weighed down by displacement and loss of livelihood

No bailout, EPFO board may suggest lower rate

No Iraqi leader raised the issue of India sending troops, says Chinmay Gharekhan

On the road, for a universal employment guarantee Act

Hurriyat leaders should not go beyond PoK, says Mufti Sayeed

"Bihar polls not feasible before November"

Jaipal Reddy proposes visa-free travel for journalists, newspaper proprietors

Clinton: India has done commendable relief work

Bakery case: judge visits `scene of crime' twice

Kashmiri photojournalist bags 3 awards