Hyderabad: Disha case on fast track

Hyderabad: The massive country-wide outburst of anger, candlelight rallies and protests seeking speedy justice to veterinary doctor, who was raped and burnt to death, have yielded results as the High Court of Telangana has given its nod for setting up a fast-track court.

Soon after that, Secretary to the Government, Legal Affairs, A Santosh Reddy in his order said, "the Government after careful examination of the proposal, hereby designate the Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mahbubnagar, as a Special Court for speedy trial of the rape and murder case of Disha. This fast-track court will not deal with any other case until the judge delivers the judgment and the case was disposed of."

Officials said that the court will begin trial in the case soon after the police files a charge-sheet. Once the trail begins, the special court will sit on day-to-day basis and will hear the arguments from both sides. The hearing will be completed in a time-bound manner. Generally, the fast-track courts complete trial and deliver judgement within two months' time.

The provision of providing legal aid to the accused in case no advocate comes forward will also be considered in the fast-track court. All the district Bar Associations in the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district have already resolved not to extend legal support to the four accused who were arrested and sent to Cherlapally jail after they were remanded to judicial custody.

As part of the trial, officials said that the statements of the witnesses in the case mainly tollgate employees, lorry owner and parents will be recorded. Then they will review the charge-sheet and evidences furnished in connection with the case by the police in the court.

The judge of the special court is authorised to give instructions to any authority in the state government and can order for necessary material during the trial period. In view of the security reasons, the judge will also have the power to take up the trial of the accused in the prison on some occasions or through video conference.