The Supreme Court, on Monday, agreed to hear a plea challenging the High Court’s order of recalling 13 witnesses in Uber cab rape case. The apex will take up the case for hearing on Tuesday.
Last week, the Delhi High Court had allowed recall of 13 prosecution witnesses, including the victim in Uber cab rape case and said their cross examination will be carried out on a day-to-day basis.
The HC order came on the plea of the accused driver Shiv Kumar Yadav, who had allegedly raped the 25-year-old woman executive in December last year.
The court, while allowing the recall of witnesses, had made it clear that any question which has already been put to the witnesses in their cross examination by the earlier counsel should not be repeated.
Apart from the victim, the court also allowed recall of the investigating officers as well as some of the doctors who had examined the victim as well as the accused, saying it was necessary for “ensuring a fair trial”.
“…. In view of the circumstances narrated by counsel for the petitioner, for ensuring fair trial, it is deemed proper to recall certain witnesses. That being so, in the interest of justice, the petition is partly allowed. Prosecution witnesses no. 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27 be recalled for the purpose of further cross examination.
“Needless to say, it is impressed upon the counsel for the petitioner not to repeat any question which has already been put to the witnesses in their cross examination by the earlier counsel.
“Furthermore, no adjournment will be sought by him on any ground whatsoever. Keeping in view the mandate of section 309 CrPC (power to postpone or adjourn proceedings), the cross examination will be conducted on day-to-day basis,” the court said.
It also clarified “that in case for any reason any witness is not available for the purpose of further cross examination, his/her testimony shall be read in evidence as it is”, and disposed of the petition.
While partly allowing the accused’s plea, the court also said that if he adopts any delaying tactics “only he would suffer” as he is in custody.
The court directed the accused to appear before the trial court at 2 PM “and a date will be fixed by Additional Sessions Judge for recalling the aforesaid witnesses for the purpose of cross examination and thereafter the matter be proceeded in accordance with law”.
As per the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police, the incident took place on the night of December 5 last year when the victim, who was working for a finance company in Gurgaon, was headed back home.
She had taken the taxi from Vasant Vihar to go to her house in Inderlok and the accused after taking another route, raped her, police said.
