Delhi court to hear chief secretary assault case on January 30

Hearing in the assault case of former Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, involving Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia would be done on January 30, a Delhi court said on Friday. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal was told by the counsel for Kejriwal, Sisodia and other AAP leaders that they have not been provided with complete documents annexed with the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police.

The court asked the counsel for AAP leaders and police to complete the process of scrutiny of documents by January 30.

Kejriwal and Sisodia had earlier approached the Delhi High Court and had challenged the order of the trial court permitting two other advocates to conduct the prosecution on behalf of a Delhi Police officer, instead of a regular public prosecutor attached to the court concerned.

The high court has sought response of the Delhi government, the police and Prakash on the plea.

The ACMM, in an October 22 order, had said let the Delhi Police Commissioner assign the prosecution of this case to some officer not below the rank of Additional Commissioner of Police.

The Delhi Police had nominated three well-reputed and experienced counsels for appointment as Special Public Prosecutors and their consents had also been obtained, Prakash had told the trial court.

The Delhi Police’ request was rejected by the Delhi Home Minister, despite recommendation by the officers of the Home Department. The rejection was made on grounds that the case did not disclose any special features, he had said.

The Delhi Police had opposed the plea in the trial court and had claimed that the complainant (Prakash) has not shown any "actual bias" but only an unfounded apprehension of bias and the other cases of similar accused persons have been conducted by regular prosecutors and no bias has been reported.