The court, which took up the case for hearing twice a month, would now hear the matter every Wednesday and the judge has now directed that at least 15 witnesses would be summoned for each hearing.
A Delhi court today ordered expeditious trial in the September 2008 serial blasts case saying that the bombings "challenged the existence of a democratically elected welfare state".
The court, which took up the case for hearing twice a month, would now hear the matter every Wednesday and the judge has now directed that at least 15 witnesses would be summoned for each hearing.
"The trial needs to be further expedited keeping in view the nature of cases, gravity of offences and the fact that more than two dozen precious lives were lost and more than 100 innocent people were left injured and maimed in serial blasts which not only created terror among common people but also challenged the existence of a democratically elected welfare state," Additional Sessions Judge Santosh Snehi Mann said.
The court also took into account the fact that there were over 750 prosecution witnesses in the five cases registered in the matter and only 29 of them have been examined so far in six hearings.
"On perusal of record and chargesheets, it is found that there are more than 750 prosecution witnesses in the five consolidated cases. Out of them, 29 witnesses have been examined till date in six hearings.
"...These cases are taken up on second and fourth Wednesday of every month i.e. two hearings are scheduled in a month. With this pace, it will take more than six years to examine the remaining prosecution witnesses," the judge said.
"It is directed that henceforth, these cases shall be listed for hearing every Wednesday and at least 15 witnesses be summoned for each hearing." The court also pointed out that state should assess the "threat perception" to the public witnesses so that the trial could continue without any fear or inducement.
"State is expected to ensure that public witnesses appear to depose in the court during trial without any fear or inducement. Needless to say that threat perception be assesses by the police under supervision of the commissioner of police and all necessary steps be taken accordingly," the court said.
The court, meanwhile, examined four doctors, arrayed as prosecution witnesses in the case. It also issued bailable warrant against a doctor, against whom the summon issued by it was returned with refusal report.
The blasts, occurring in quick succession in crowded localities in four places in the national capital on September 13, 2008, left 26 people dead and 135 injured.
Five cases were registered in connection with the blasts at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road, Central Park in Connaught Place and M-Block Market in Greater Kailash. A bomb was also found near India Gate.
The court had earlier commenced the trial in the case after framing charges against 13 suspected IM modules for their alleged role in the serial blasts. They were charged with waging a war against the state and killing people.
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