MANILAL PITAMBAR DHARIA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE three revision applications are preferred by the accused persons against whom cases are pending before the Special Judge for Anti Corruption Bureau in the Court of Sessions for Greater Bombay. In fact the cases are very old ranging from 1985 to 1987 and trial has not yet begun. The petitioners had filed applications for their discharge pointing out certain irregularities committed during the course of enquiry as well as investigation and also for want of proper sanction. The learned Special Judge by the impugned order in each petition rejected all the contentions and directed the trial to proceed after framing of the charge. The order in each of the special cases is impugned by the aforesaid separate Revision Applications. However, the points involved are identical and in fact the Special Judge has passed a common order disposing of the applications in three separate cases.

(2.) I have heard the learned advocate for the petitioners in each of the aforesaid three revision applications as well as Mr. Nalwade, APP for the respondent-State. It has been stated by both the sides that the trial of the special cases against the petitioners should be expedited and should be directed to be concluded with a specified period by keeping open all the contentions about irregularities including the point regarding one step promotion in case of all officers attached to Anti Corruption Bureau.

(3.) IN view of the above position, it is directed that the trial against the petitioners in each of the aforesaid revision applications shall be concluded as far as possible within a period of six months and in any case not exceeding the period of nine months and that all the points urged in this court as well as before the Special Judge are kept open to be considered by the Special Judge trying the cases in the light of the observations made hereinabove.