Expressing strong displeasure over dilly-dallying by US Embassy officials to depose in a cheating case, a court here has acquitted the accused, saying the embassy did not seem to be interested in pursuing the case lodged by it.
NEW DELHI: Expressing strong displeasure over dilly-dallying by US Embassy officials to depose in a cheating case, a court here has acquitted the accused, saying the embassy did not seem to be interested in pursuing the case lodged by it.
"Why the courts in India should send a request to the embassy whereas it is the embassy who should be ready to give evidence as they have made the complaint," Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Bansal said in a recent order.
Quashing the US Embassy's request to give it eight weeks' time to obtain permission from the US Department of State to depose, the magistrate said: "It is not understood why they seek prior permission when they themselves had got registered the case."
"The officials are well aware that when they are getting a case registered, they will be required to appear as witnesses. Why not the officials seek permission at the time or soon after registration of the case?," the court asked, in response to a communication by Manav Jain, Fraud Prevention Manager (FPM) of the US embassy and the complainant.
Keeping in view the fact that accused Mohan Singh, hailing from Jalandhar in Punjab, has been in custody for over a year now, the court held that in the interest of justice, eight weeks time could not be granted to US Embassy and ordered for Singh's release.
"It seems that the complainant is not interested in pursuing it case. The allegations of cheating and inducement could be established by the complainant only," it said while exonerating Singh of all the charges.
The court's observations came while hearing the case against Singh, who had allegedly annexed forged documents with his application for a US visa in October last year.
An FIR was registered at Chanakyapuri Police Station here on Jain's complaint, which was also signed by Maurice D Haughton, Assistant Regional Security Officer of the embassy.
During a hearing of the case recently, investigating officer produced a letter by the embassy officials, seeking more time to depose as they required additional information from the court on various aspects and also a permission from the Department of State.
The court, however, declined the plea and wrapped up the matter noting the complaint pertained to a private wrong and it was upon the embassy officials to come forward to give evidence if they wanted to pursue the case.
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