The Chhattisgarh high court will continue hearing of the petition by jailed rights activist Binayak Sen seeking suspension of his life sentence awarded to him by the trial court in Raipur on December 24 on sedition charge, and bail for him, on Tuesday.
A division bench of the Bilashpur high court comprising Justice T.P.Sharma and Justice R.N. Jhawar began hearing of the high-profile case sharply at 2.15 pm. An eight-member delegation of the European Union (EU) were seen keenly watching the proceedings seated in the last row in the court room.
Appearing for Mr Sen, eminent lawyer and BJP Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani argued that the charges made against the rights activist were ambiguous and lack evidence. He said the prosecution has failed to mention the particular action as per the text book definition of concerned offence for which Mr Sen has bee convicted of sedition. Referring to the letter of Maoist leader Narayan Sanyal, purportedly carried by Mr Sen to Naxal-sympathiser Pijush Guha, Mr Jethmalani said there was nothing incriminating in the document.
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CM objects to EU panel
age correspondent
RAIPUR
Jan. 24: Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Monday strongly objected to the decision by the EU to “keep a watch” through its representatives on the hearing of the plea in the state high court. “The EU delegation’s presence in the court to review the judicial process is highly objectionable. The Indian judiciary is famous for its impartiality and credibility and is one of the strongest columns of democracy,” he said.