Delhi, 29 May (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court ahlmad(Record keeper) Mukesh Kumar, recently accused of soliciting bribes to facilitate bail for certain defendants, informed the Delhi High Court that sensitive case documents were leaking to the media. During a hearing before Justice Amit Sharma, Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Kumar, raised alarms about the potential impact of these leaks on the fairness of the trial. He emphasized that unauthorized circulation of signed documents from the investigating officer undermines his client's liberty and fair representation. The court permitted Mathur to submit additional evidence regarding the leaks, while Additional Standing Counsel Sanjay Bhandari requested the opportunity to respond. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 2.
Following Kumar's bribery charges, the High Court had previously reassigned a Special Judge dealing with the Prevention of Corruption Act from Rouse Avenue Court to Rohini. Kumar has claimed he is a victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by officials to retaliate against the judge for issuing unfavorable rulings.
Before filing a case against Kumar, the ACB sought permission from the Law Secretary of the Delhi government in January to investigate a judge associated with the ahlmad, citing allegations against both individuals.
The High Court responded in February, indicating that while the ACB could further investigate, it found insufficient material against the judge at that time. Consequently, the High Court stated there was no need to grant permission regarding the Judicial Officer, but the ACB could continue its investigation on received complaints. After a criminal case was filed against him, Kumar approached the Delhi High Court for anticipatory bail and requested either the FIR against him be quashed or that the case be transferred to the CBI.
During an earlier hearing, Kumar’s legal team, including Senior Advocates Mohit Mathur and Maninder Singh, pointed out that the ACB officer they had complained about had been assigned as the case's investigating officer and alleged that this officer had indicated Kumar was being framed. Senior Advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir also represented the ahlmad in the proceedings.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
