17-Apr-2025 06:46 PM
8807
Mumbai, Apr 17 (Reporter) The Bombay High Court on Thursday cancelled the transfer of special NIA Judge A K Lahoti, who had been conducting daily hearings in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast trial for past few years and was nearing conclusion of the case.
With most arguments already completed, he was transferred to Nashik in midst of trial.
The registrar of the Bombay high court in its order not only cancelled the transfer order but also extended his tenure till August 31.
Following this, Judge Lahoti today directed all the parties in the case to file their written submission before April 19. Earlier, oral arguments were made both by the prosecution and the defence.
It is expected the court may deliver its final verdict before August 31.
The transfer order was cancelled after the victim of the said bomb blast had made a representation before the high court, requesting to extend the tenure of the present Presiding Judge, A K Lahoti, till completion of the trial in the interest of justice.
Six people were killed and over 100 injured on September 29, 2008, after an explosive device strapped on a motorcycle exploded in sensitive Malegaon town of Nashik district.
The accused in the case include Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Shudakar Diwedi, Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retired), Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni, all of whom are out on bail...////...