Acceding to a plea that the trial in the murder of professor H S Sabharwal, who was allegedly killed by ABVP leaders, should be shifted out of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh to a “non-BJP-ruled state”, the Supreme Court on Friday indicated that it might be shifted to Nagpur in Maharashtra.

After hearing detailed arguments from both the sides — the accused and professor’s family — a Bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat said it would order the Sessions court of Nagpur to complete the trial within eight months after the parties arrived at a consensus on the new place for conducting the trial.

“We would pass the order saying that the matter be referred to the Session’s court of Nagpur which would decide which court would hear the matter,” said the Bench also comprising Justice P Sathasivam. “We would also direct to complete the trial within eight months,” the court said.

Initiating the argument, counsel appearing for the family of the slain professor pleaded that the inquiry of the case be handed over to the CBI and the trial be shifted to Delhi. It was also contended that an independent public prosecutor be appointed to handle the case.

Senior advocate U U Lalit, appearing for one of the accused in the case, contended that Nagpur would be a better option as Maharashtra was a non-BJP ruled state and the city was close to Ujjain where the trial was being held earlier.

The court, however, said it would be open to the Sessions or District court of Nagpur to deal with the matter and the complainant and the professor’s family could give the name of Public Prosecutor to the judge hearing the case.

... contd.