The Bombay High Court on Friday severely reprimanded Ejaz Naqvi, defence counsel for the 26/11 co-accused Sabahuddin Ahmed for his conduct in court.
The Division Bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and R.V. More took strong exception to Mr. Naqvi's refusal to argue his client's case on merits and his insistence on the removal of Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. The court was preparing to hear the argument in the State's appeal against the acquittal of Sabahuddin by the trial court last May.
“We are amazed that counsel has refused to argue the case on merits. We [condemn] his conduct,” Ms. Desai observed and directed the order be passed to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
“Frivolous”
The court noted it had already rejected Mr. Naqvi's application calling for Mr. Nikam's removal. The application moved last December, alleged that Mr. Nikam was “working for his own mala fide gain” and that he had “vested interest” in the matter. The court had ruled this application was “frivolous.”
On Friday, seeing that Mr. Naqvi was unrelenting, the court remarked, “Enough is enough.” It remarked the advocate had till date not filed a special leave petition despite the order being made available to him.
