Waive off escort fees for blast accused: HC bench
Calling the charges of escorting an accused as “too expensive”, the Bombay high court on Thursday asked the joint commissioner of police (law and order) to consider waiving off of such charges for 2006 serial train blasts accused Mohammad Sajid Ansari on humanitarian grounds. His counsel contended that Ansari’s mother was on her deathbed and he should be allowed to meet her.
The court also expressed that in case the authorities do not waive off the amount of `10,892, the court would do it. The order on the accused’s application, which he submitted through his lawyer, will be passed on Friday.
“He’s only going to meet his mother who lives in Mira Road, so what’s the need for the escort charges. He has been in jail for the past seven years, how will he pay so much,” observed Justice A.M. Thipsay.
The court was of the view that the trial in the case had not even started in the trial court and there was still a lot of time for the case to reach the final stage. “Escort charges can be waived off on humanitarian grounds. The concerned authority should consider waiving off the charges and communicate about the same. In any case I am going to pass an order,” said Justice Thipsay.
Earlier, the interim bail application was rejected on June 15 this year on two grounds — seriousness of the offence and stage of the trial. The court, however, allowed 35-year-old Ansari to meet his mother on two-three occasions.
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