'No way out' for 98-yr-old ex-union minister
10 May 2012 2:28 AM GMT
Observing that 'there is no way out' for 98-year-old former union minister Sheila Kaul, facing prosecution in a 1996 government accommodation allotment scam, a Delhi court has directed her to appear before it for framing of charges and let the trial proceed.
Relying on the opinion of an AIIMS medical board, which had found Kaul as being able to understand questions put to her, Special CBI Judge Pradeep Chaddah directed Kaul to appear before it on 23 May.
'It becomes clear that accused Sheila Kaul is capable of understanding questions put to her and giving appropriate answers, though the questions might have to be repeated. Unfortunately for her, law does not prescribe any immunity for aged people. She might be quite old but there is no way out,' the court said, directing her to appear in person before it.
The court also said 'her absence has caused considerable delay and is holding up the trial.'
The court had on 9 April asked AIIMS director to constitute a medical board to examine Kaul, who appeared before the medical board on 23 April and was kept under observation till 26 April, during which she was examined by a the board of six doctors.
Relying on the opinion of an AIIMS medical board, which had found Kaul as being able to understand questions put to her, Special CBI Judge Pradeep Chaddah directed Kaul to appear before it on 23 May.
'It becomes clear that accused Sheila Kaul is capable of understanding questions put to her and giving appropriate answers, though the questions might have to be repeated. Unfortunately for her, law does not prescribe any immunity for aged people. She might be quite old but there is no way out,' the court said, directing her to appear in person before it.
The court also said 'her absence has caused considerable delay and is holding up the trial.'
The court had on 9 April asked AIIMS director to constitute a medical board to examine Kaul, who appeared before the medical board on 23 April and was kept under observation till 26 April, during which she was examined by a the board of six doctors.
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