The Delhi Police on Thursday sought expediting of court proceedings in the Geetika Sharma suicide case in which former Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda is an accused, but the court noted the investigating officer and special public prosecutor’s absence to argue this application.
The Delhi Police told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D. K. Jangala that proceedings in the matter should be expedited as over three months had elapsed since the case was registered.
The ACMM enquired about the absence of the SPP and the IO but no reason was given.
In his order, Mr. Jangala said: “The present application is moved by the State under Section 309 CrPC (for expediting proceedings), however, Special Public Prosecutor for the State and the IO are absent. The presence of both is necessary for expeditious disposal of the present matter. However, both are absent without any justified ground. Therefore, in the present facts and circumstances issue notice to the Director (Prosecution) to ensure the presence of Special Public Prosecutor on the next date of hearing. A notice be also sent to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Region) with the direction to ensure the presence of the Investigating Officer on the next date of hearing.”
Kanda was also not produced in court after the jail medical officer said he was suffering from acute gastroenteritis and was not fit to be moved.
The application under Section 309 will now be heard on December 1.
