June 20, New Delhi, (LAB News) Video Conferencing is now the new norm, Special Judge Bharat Parashar while resuming the hearing in the coal scam case via electronic means said.
The Special Court at Rouse Avenue, New Delhi on June 17 resumed its hearing in the coal scam cases via Video Conferencing. After consulting all the parties Special Judge Bharat Parashar announced the resuming of the trial which had been postponed due to COVID 19 epidemic.
On Tuesday last (16 June) Special Judge made all arrangements to set up the virtual court and links to all the parties were provided. The Hearing started at 11 am through video conferencing. Lawyers from both defence and prosecution side were in their court uniform interacting from their respective offices. The hearing in the Patrapara Coal Scam case started today (June 20) while Castron Technologies, Jindal Steel and Grace Industrie were heard earlier on June 17, 18 and 19 respectively.
Keeping in mind the safety norms and social distancing Judge Prashar said that Video Conferencing is now the new normal, we shall continue with the proceedings like this till the pandemic scare ends. Advocate Vijay Aggarwal and Mudit Jain appeared for all three accused parties and argued the case through Video Conferencing from their offices. All the parties along with the Public Prosecutor were connected to the virtual court.
The special judge had earlier discussed with all the parties and taken their consent to participate in the virtual court. The Judge and the parties were very happy in the manner the new court progressed. The Court has hired technical staff and assured the parties a smooth transition towards the video conferencing. ” There shall be complete cooperation from the court staff and difficulty in connecting with the video conferencing, Special Judge said.
Advocate Vijay Aggarwal told LAB News correspondent that initially he was little confused and was very apprehensive on how the courts will function, but it went very well, he said. The virtual court experience was very smooth and now it will become a normal exercise, at least there is some headway towards the disposal of cases. Due to COVID 19 pandemic, everything was at a standstill, now we are much relieved, Aggarwal said.
30 cases related to coal block allocation scam are pending before the special designated CBI court in which top industrialists and bureaucrats are named as accused. The Supreme Court had earlier observed that irregularities were committed in the allocation of coal blocks to the chosen few and directed the CBI inquiry.