Based on this order, which is scheduled on Thursday or Friday, the petition will be further heard on the merits of the case.
In the closing arguments on Friday, defence counsel Saresh Lotlikar questioned the maintainability of the application as he read out a number of judgments supporting his submission. He also alleged that the investigation agency was misleading the court.
The prosecution led by special public prosecutor Subodh Dessai contended that the defence was deliberately delaying the matter on flimsy grounds while also dismissing the misleading allegation. “Flimsy grounds are taken to delay the matter…I am misleading or everyone is misled,” he questioned the defense. The SPP urged the court to hear the petition on the merits of the case.
The single bench of Justice K L Wadhane reserved the order on the maintainability of the plea following which arguments based on merits will be decided.
Meanwhile, the bail application filed by former minister Churchill Alemao, currently in custody, was adjourned for next Thursday.
The former PWD minister has challenged the special court’s order stating that Kamat, who is also charged with the same offence, was granted anticipatory bail. The lower court’s order had stated that Alemao’s bail was rejected on merits while Kamat was granted anticipatory bail on technical grounds.
