Lawyers slam judge transfer

 

MUMBAI: The transfer of special (MCOCA) judge AP Bhangale on May 3 has jeopardised more than 40 sensitive cases under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota). He had been presiding over cases like the Ghatkopar bomb blast and Sara-Sahara and conducting trials of the likes of Bharat Shah, Al Qaida operative Mohammed Afroze and members of Dawood Ibhrahim’s family and gang.

 

Bhangale had also been taking cognisance of cases filed by private citizens against the police’s failure to arrest gutka baron Rasiklal Dhariwal and encounter specialist Daya Nayak. He was soon to pass orders on a private complaint filed last month against Police Commissioner AN Roy.

 

With Bhangale shifted to the Maharashtra State Accidents Tribunal, the administration has not yet named his successor. “Often with the transfer of judges, the partly-heard cases lie neglected for months,” said criminal lawyer Osman Chisti.

 

“Judge Bhangale was transferred mid-way through the hearing of sensitive cases, at least three of which are against members of Dawood Ibhrahim’s family and his gang. The Gateway blast case was almost complete. The Sara-Sahara case alone has 250 pages of testimony already recorded. A change of judge this late into a trial works to its detriment,” said MCOCA and Pota prosecutor Vidya Kasle. Shyam Keswani, defence advocate in the Sara-Sahara and the gutka cases said it is a sheer waste of public time and money.