New twist to trial, witnesses accuse CBI of harassment

In a new twist to the Sohrabuddin encounter trial, Public Prosecutor (PP) Raju More informed the Judge of Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, Sunil Sharma on Saturday, witnesses have accused the agency of harassing them to forcibly modify their statements so as to be suitable to the agency in the court. The PP further informed the judge, he learned of these allegations at a briefing with the central agency. “I am afraid to call the witnesses, as a few have complained to the head office of CBI that we have been harassing the witness to give statements,” More stated in court.

Defence advocate Rajesh Bindra told the judge the prosecutor was misguiding the court. “By now, many witnesses, especially senior officers have claimed in their deposition, the CBI has been harassing them to give suitable statements. None of this was said then, now when the examination of witnesses is coming to an end, they are misguiding the court and trying to bias the court,” said Bindra.

This miffed Judge Sharma, who told Bindra that the latter had only three years of legal experience and should not raise such doubts against him (the judge). "I have been practising for 24 years and I never showed any biases. The CBI has posted its difficulty of fearing to call the witnesses because of the allegations made against them. If they are right, I will support them.”

Bindra and the other defence advocate, Hitesh Shah sought an inquiry to investigate the role of the CBI in these allegations. However, the judge refused to hold any inquiry and said the defence advocates were confused.