High Court asks CBI court to defer witness examination in 2009 Job Scam

Shillong, April 11: The Meghalaya High Court has asked the Special Judge (CBI) to adjourn further examination of witnesses relating to the 2009 education job scam for such a period as he deems fit to enable disposal of an application seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings.

The bench headed by Chief Justice IP Mukerji in its order passed today said, “This Court is not formally staying the trial but only requesting the learned Special Judge (CBI) at Shillong to adjourn further examination of witnesses for such period as he deems fit and proper to enable this Court to conclude hearing of the said pending application and to pronounce judgment.”

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The accused under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code has sought quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated amongst others, the Law Minister, accused in a school teachers’ recruitment scam.

“This Court has started hearing this application. If this application succeeds, then that would be the end of the trial. If it does not, the trial may continue. In my view, there is no point in further continuance of the trial at this stage before disposal of this Section 482 application,” the bench stated.

Salman Khurshid, Senior Advocate appearing for the accused in the Section 482 CrPC has been asked to continue his arguments in the Section 482 application. Khurshid continues his arguments but does not conclude the same.

“List these matters on May 7th and 8th, 2025 marked at 12.30 p.m. or after exhaustion of the Division Bench matters, whichever is earlier,” the bench directed.

In regards to the court’s order dated February 20, 2025 observing that a large number of witnesses proposed to be produced for the prosecution be suitably curtailed for a fair trial and for the ends of
justice.

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“Of course, it goes without saying that such curtailment of witnesses would in no way sacrifice the sufficiency of proof to be adduced in this kind of a matter,” the bench stated.

The court was informed that the prosecution has decided to drop 317 out of 492 witnesses and to add six additional witnesses.

This Court is told that this application has been allowed by the learned trial judge. Earlier, 28 witnesses have already been examined. The next date of trial is on May 5. In the circumstances, the trial is now ready to proceed.

(Newmai News Network)