Coal scam: Bagrodia seeks parity with Manmohan
22 Sept 2015 6:33 AM IST
The 75-year-old Congress leader, who was junior minister to Singh in the coal ministry from April 2008 to May 2009, said he was entitled for the same relief the apex court gave to the then Prime Minister on April 1 by staying the order of the trial court summoning him as an accused in another case arising out of the <g data-gr-id="26">coalgate</g>.
"Am I not entitled on equity to the same relief as done in the case of Manmohan Singh," Bagrodia's counsel and senior advocate KK Venugopal submitted before a bench headed by Justice MB Lokur.
He said if his appeal against the special court order was not admitted and the trial court proceeding <g data-gr-id="33">was not stayed like that of Singh</g>, then he would say that justice had not been done in the case.
"There is only one Supreme Court of India though you sit in different benches," <g data-gr-id="27">Vengopal</g> said, adding he was asking for the same order as was given by another bench to Singh.
"Why should I (Bagrodia) be placed on different footing? My case is also of summoning like Singh," the senior advocate said before the bench, which also comprised Justices Kurian Joseph and AK Sikri. When Bagrodia sought exemption from personal appearance before the trial court where he has to be present on September 29, the bench, which was at first reluctant to grant relief, accepted the plea of his counsel.
"You move an application for exemption from personal appearance before the trial court which will consider your plea," the bench said while posting the matter for further hearing on September 29.
CBI counsel and senior advocate Amarender Sharan opposed the plea of former union minister for <g data-gr-id="30">stay</g> of proceeding against him saying <g data-gr-id="32">their</g> was alleged motive on his part and his role cannot be denied.
Naveen Jindal’s plea for permanent exemption rejected
A special court on Monday dismissed a plea of former MP Naveen Jindal seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance till further order observing that "once a person is arrayed as an accused, he cannot enjoy the liberty as given by the Constitution to a common man." Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said the court has to take into account the nature of offence whether it is grave and severe or not while deciding the pleas for exemption. "It would be appropriate to clarify that once a person is arrayed as an accused, he cannot enjoy the liberty given by the Constitution to a common man.
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