Shakti Mills case: Sessions court allows time to study High Court order

The sessions court which is conducting the trial in the Shakti Mills gang-rape case has allowed time for both sides in the case to study the Bombay High Court's decision not to interfere in the matter.

In response to the pleas of the defence counsel and the prosecution that they be allowed some time to study the HC order, on Friday the sessions court adjourned the case till April 1.

Advocate Prakash Salsingekar had moved the HC last week challenging the session's court decision to add section 376(E) of the Indian Penal Code which allows capital punishment for repeat offenders. But the HC refused to give an order on this appeal, saying it did not want to interfere in the proceedings of the sessions court.

"We are yet to get a copy of the HC order, so we cannot proceed with arguments in the case. Also, we cannot examine any witnesses, who the prosecution has brought to depose against the accused to prove that the convicts are allegedly repeat offenders and deserve capital punishment," said Salsingekar.

The four accused in the gang rape of a telephone operator and a photojournalist were convicted on March 20. However, before delivering the sentence, the court added a charge under section 376(E) on the grounds that three of them were repeat offenders. The defence counsel has challenged the application of this charge.