Judge awaits CJ order to hear Laloo's case

PATNA, MAY 1. Justice Nagendra Rai of the Patna High Court today refused to resume hearing on the RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav's application for regular bail in a disproportionate assets case till a specific order from Chief Justice R. S. Dhawan.

``The matter has been heard by another bench (of Justice Shashank Kumar Singh) for three days...It won't be proper for me to hear the case till the Chief Justice issues necessary instructions,'' Justice Rai said in his order when counsels for both CBI and Mr. Laloo Yadav requested the judge to hear them. Mr. Rai said he would refer the matter to the Chief Justice in the course of the day for a directive.

Justice Shashank Kumar Singh of the High Court had heard the case for three days on April 19, April 27 and April 28. Justice Singh later proceeded on leave for a week. The case was listed before the court of Justice Rai at 1200-hrs today.

Earlier, Justice Rai wanted to know from the counsel of Mr. Laloo Yadav, Mr. P. N. Pandey, and CBI's standing counsel, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, whether it would be proper and fit for him to hear the case which had been already heard by another bench for three days. Mr. Pandey and Mr. Kumar agreed and said if they were ready to carry forward their arguments on Laloo's bail petition.

The CBI, in course of arguments, had on April 27 and April 28 vehemently opposed the RJD president's petition in the case charging the latter with obstructing fair probe and initiation of trial.

The investigating agency in its counter-affidavit filed in the court had alleged that Mr. Laloo Yadav was making irresponsible statement with a view to putting obstruction in fair investigation as well as initiation of trial.

``The gesture and belligerent demeanour of the petitioner during an interview to the press give adequate inkling that he is about to use criminal force against the officials attached to the organisation and if the petitioner who appears to be steadfast and stubbo-

rn in his impious resolve to threaten the investigating agency and its officials is not stopped it would be difficult to uphold the rule of law,'' the CBI had said in the affidavit.

- PTI

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