| Chopra murder case: Represented by Adv Ashwani, Pardhis get bail | | Incriminating material in evidence against ex-MLC Wazir, others | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 16: In the much publicised murder of business tycoon Rajinder Bhushan Chopra, his wife, daughter and two servants on September 18, 2006, Principal Sessions Judge, Jammu, R S Jain today granted bail to seven Pardhis who were accused in the case.
The court ordered them to furnish personal bond to tune of Rs 25,000 together with surety bond. The court also observed Incriminating material appearing in the evidence led by prosecution against the ex-MLC and other accused in the case.
After hearing advocate Ashwani Khajuria, who appeared on behalf of the Pardhis, and a battery of other lawyers appearing for both sides, the court observed that there was no material evidence against accused Mahesh, Russi, Vicky, Bhawani Singh, Sikander, Narinder and Daleep stemming out of the prosecution witnesses examined during the course of trial required to be brought to their notice to enable them to give any explanation and circumstances asking the said accused to explain under section 342 of CrPc.
The court cannot examine the accused under these circumstances nor any jurisdiction has been conferred upon it under section 342 of CrPc to examine any person without any evidence. The court observed under these circumstances, the statements of Mahesh, Russi, Vicky, Bhawani Singh, Sikander, Narinder and Daleep are dispensed with and they are entitled to be released on bail.
"Accordingly, Mahesh, Russi, Vicky, Bhawani Singh, Sikander, Narinder and Daleep are released on bail subject to their furnishing personal bond of Rs 25,000 together with surety bond of the like amount," the court said.
The judge observed that as far as accused Nanju, Sangram Pardhi, Ajab Singh, ex-MLC Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Nagar Singh alias Nago and Rajinder Singh are concerned, there is incriminating material appearing in the evidence led by the prosecution. Accordingly, the statements of accused under section 342 of CrPc have been recorded.
The judge observed that the court had heard and considered the arguments of PP and counsels for the accused under section 273 of CrPc which enables a judge to record an order of acquittal even before the accused has adduced any defence evidence provided he/she is of the opinion that there is no evidence that the accused committed the offence with which he is charged.
The court said that in the present case, it cannot be said that the case is a case of no 'evidence' against the accused and so, the case is to go on as per procedure. The accused have stated that they want to lead the defence evidence.
The prosecution case against Mahesh, Russi, Vicky, Nanju, Bhawani Singh, Sikander, Narinder, Daleep, Sangram and Kiran Pardhi (now dead) is that on September 18, 2006, information was received from a reliable source at Bahu Fort police station that in House No 38, Sector-3, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, some persons had last night murdered Rajinder Bhushan Chopra, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Saloni Chopra, servant Sonu and driver Jagan and took away a white car No 0030/JK02AC. A case under section 302 of RPC was then registered. Investigation was later handed over to Inspector Mohammad Rafiq of Bahu Fort police station |
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