Aryan Khan Case : Intervenors Object To 'Priority' Hearing Given For Bail Applications In Bombay High Court

Sharmeen Hakim

26 Oct 2021 3:51 PM GMT

  • Aryan Khan Case : Intervenors Object To Priority Hearing Given For Bail Applications In Bombay High Court

    Two intervention applications have been filed in the Bombay High Court opposing the bail plea of Aryan Khan and against the alleged priority given to hearing of his application, even as other accused are "languishing in prison." One application is filed by an anti-drug NGO and the second is filed by a person claiming to be a social worker. While agreeing to hear the interventions Justice...

    Two intervention applications have been filed in the Bombay High Court opposing the bail plea of Aryan Khan and against the alleged priority given to hearing of his application, even as other accused are "languishing in prison."

    One application is filed by an anti-drug NGO and the second is filed by a person claiming to be a social worker.

    While agreeing to hear the interventions Justice Sambre asked the concerned Advocate Subhash Jha to demonstrate one case where circulation was rejected.

    "Mr Jha, you appear in my court every week. I do not rise without completing my board. Whosoever comes to court gets a hearing," the judge said.

    The judge added that he sits even till 7pm noting the concerns of the bar.

    Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, leading Khan's defence said that he was objecting to such interventions.

    The social workers application states that "The bail application at the face value of senior counsel should not be decided in priority as that would send a wrong signal to society."

    Moreover, that Aryan Khan's alleged crime should not go unpunished only because his wealthy father engaged legal luminaries...

    It adds that Article 14 of the constitution mandates that all are equal before the law.

    "The son of some film star needs no priority or judicial leniency, " the please states, adding, that Khan knew his carrier was carrying drugs and it was distributed.

    The NGO's plea, filed by Advocate Amish Sharma narrates how Khan's bail plea was rejected by the special court on October 19, appeal filed the same day, the matter was mentioned the following day and they were granted circulation for today.

    Whereas, similar requests of other advocates to grant circulation, including in those matters which were filed much before and accused are languishing in jail for a fairly long time were not entertained, they allege.

    "No preference can be given to the applicant and he has to wait his turn... The applicant does not deserve special treatment merely because he can afford requisition of service of a senior advocate even for seeking circulation. The message would be sent otherwise is that there are difference in standards of rich and poor. No diction can be made on the basis of position of accused in society."

    The bench started hearing the bail applications of Aryan Khan and other two accused around 4 PM today and heard it around till 6 PM. The hearing will continue tomorrow.

    For updates from the hearing, refer here.


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