Cross-examination of witness postponed

Mumbai: The CBI on Wednesday called Indrani Mukerjea’s former secretary, Kajal Sharma as the third witness in the 2012 Sheena Bora murder case but the court postponed examination of the witness till Thursday after her lawyer informed the court that Indrani wants the witness to be examined in her presence.

The prosecution was supposed to examine Sharma as the third witness on Wednesday. However, when Indrani’s lawyers Sudeep Pasbola and Gujnan Mangala met Indrani at JJ Hospital, she told them that she wanted the witness to be examined in her presence. Since an accused has the right to attend the trial personally, through her lawyer or by video conferencing, the court adjourned the examination of witness till Thursday.

Meanwhile, special public prosecutor Kavita Patil and Bharat Badami moved an application before special judge J.C. Jagdale requesting the court to allow CBI investigating officer (IO) K.K. Singh to remain present in the courtroom during the trial. The lawyers said that the case is very complicated in nature and requires active assistance to public prosecutors.

Their applications said that the presence of an IO is not only essential, but imperative. The IO is not only responsible for ensuring the presence of the witnesses in the court during the trial, but many a times his assistance is sought by the prosecutor as also by the court regarding any clarification that may be required even during the deposition of the witness.

Mr Singh was asked to not sit inside the courtroom during trial after defence lawyers objected to his presence in the court. The judge has now asked the defence lawyers to file reply its by Thursday.