This Article is From Aug 27, 2012

Cops argue cases as public prosecutor fails to turn up

Cops argue cases as public prosecutor fails to turn up
Pune: Policemen who arrived at the holiday court at Shivaji Nagar court were in for a surprise on Sunday, as the prosecution lawyer assigned to argue cases for the day did a no-show.

On Sunday, assistant public prosecutor S M Kadam was assigned the responsibility to handle cases. But, since he did not turn up, investigation officers' had to double up as lawyers to argue their cases in the holiday court.

One or two courts at Shivaji Nagar Sessions Court are open, and police officials from the city as well as from districts come with their respective cases to seek police custody of offenders, as their local courts are closed.

A Police inspector, who had come to seek police custody in a theft case, said, "I had to wait for the public prosecutor to arrive and plead our case, but after waiting for a long time, I argued in the court."

"There are some cases wherein the argument by public prosecutor is necessary, but investigation officers did the job of a public prosecutor before the court yesterday," said the inspector.

When contacted the assistant director (Public Prosecution) Kashinath Dighe stated that the assignment of the PP for the holiday court had been decided in advance, and the particular PP has to be present on that particular day.

"I will check and see why the concerned PP did not attend work on Sunday," said Dighe. Kadam, who finally arrived in the evening before the court closed, said, "There was no important cases in the court today."

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