Defence attorneys for Thakor Hari Punja expressed strong criticism today regarding the repeated delays in court proceedings, which were attributed to the State’s tardy filing of submissions. Punja, who is connected to a well-known business family, is currently facing charges related to the unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
During the hearing, defence counsel Iqbal Khan highlighted that the prosecution had initially been given a 21-day timeframe to submit necessary documents, with an additional 14-day extension granted. However, the State only delivered the required documents on the day of the hearing, which Khan argued severely hampered the defence team’s ability to thoroughly review the submissions, assess the evidence, and prepare an adequate response. He raised concerns about the fairness and integrity of the proceedings in light of these issues.
The State responded by attributing the delays to an oversight, suggesting that the defence’s complaints were focused on only parts of the submissions. Furthermore, prosecutors mentioned that certain references in the defence’s application were created using artificial intelligence, which they argued may influence the case’s dynamics.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad acknowledged the frustrations expressed by the defence but pointed out that the court’s authority on this matter was limited, indicating that some issues would need to be taken up in the High Court. In light of the delays, the court ruled that the hearing could not proceed. The case has now been postponed, with the next court date set for February 4 next year at 11:30 am, with both parties expected to be thoroughly prepared.
This situation highlights ongoing challenges within the judicial process, illustrating the critical importance of timely submissions to ensure a fair trial. The upcoming hearing presents an opportunity for both the defence and prosecution to address these concerns and progress in the legal proceedings.
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