JOIN USThe Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the BJP government in Gujarat on tardy trial in a rape case involving godman Asaram Bapu. It asked the Gujarat government to file a progress report on it.
The apex court, which has earlier rejected several bail pleas by Asaram, and was hearing one more moved by him, also questioned the state government on why the victim in the case has not yet been examined.
"Why is there a delay despite the earlier direction for expeditious trial? Why has the victim not been examined so far," a bench of Justices N V Ramana and Amitava Roy asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Gujarat government.
The court reminded him that directions for expediting recording of evidence were given in April. He said two crucial witnesses have been killed, one is missing and 17 others were injured in attacks.
The woman will be examined by the court after ensuring her safety, he said, adding that out of 92 material witnesses, over 45 of them have been examined so far.
Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing the victim, sought speedy trial of the case and said that the court should issue a direction to examine the prosecutrix before September 23, which is the next date of hearing of the case before trial court. The court put the matter for consideration after Diwali vacations.