A Delhi Fast Track Court has issued production warrants against suspended Haryana cadre IPS officer R K Sharma who, alongwith five others, is facing trial in the high-profile journalist Shivani Bhatnagar murder case, according to a Press Trust of India report in Outlook.
Details of the February 6, 2006 report:
Additional Sessions Judge Rajendra Kumar, rejecting plea of Sharma’s counsel for exemption from personal appearance on medical grounds, issued warrants to ensure his presence on February 13, the next date of hearing.
Public Prosecutor S K Saxena, during the trial, raised objection on the absence of prime accused Sharma and contended that a warrant may be issued for securing his presence as he has already been brought to Tihar Jail as per the order of the Delhi High court.
Earlier, the Delhi High court, on the plea of the Delhi Police, had allowed it to bring back Sharma from Mohali’s Silver Oak hospital where he was operated upon for spinal ailment in October last year.
The case, on Januray 23, was transferred from the ASJ S C Malik’s court to the instant court to ensure speedy trial as the Delhi High court had directed that cases which were lingering on for last seven years would be transferred to FTC.
Sharma along with five others - Pradeep Sharma, Sri Bhagwan Satya Prakash, Ved Prakash Sharma and Ved alias Kalu - are facing trial in the murder of Shivani Bhatnagar. The Indian Express scribe was found murdered at her East Delhi apartment on January 23, 1999.
