Ammal case: HC judge recuses

A day after entertaining a plea of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal, a Delhi High Court judge on Wednesday recused from hearing her petition challenging a trial court order dismissing her plea for exemption from appearing as a witness in the 2G case.

Justice Veena Birbal, who on Tuesday observed that the petition was to stall the proceedings, refused on Wednesday to hear Ammal’s petition without citing any reason.

Ammal’s counsel, however, sought an early date and the court fixed the matter before a different bench. Ammal has been made a prosecution witness in the 2G case and the trial court has summoned her to appear before it on July 8 for recording of her deposition.

He had said due to her physical and mental condition, Ammal is prone to “abrasive behaviour, clumsy habit with sudden hitting or punching people, inappropriate talk and action and inability to take care of day-to-day activities”. He had submitted that the bench should seek a report from the medical board and if it gives a fitness report, his client has no objection in appearing as witness in the trial court.