Big Blow To Congress Leader Randeep Surjewala From Allahabad HC, Trial To Start In FIR Filed In Varanasi 23 Years Ago

Prayagraj, November 17 (TNA) Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has received a big blow from the Allahabad High Court. On Friday, the High Court rejected Randeep Surjewala's petition against starting the trial of the FIR registered 23 years ago in Varanasi. After the petition is dismissed, now the trial of the case will start in the sessions court of Varanasi.

This case is related to the violence, vandalism and damage to public property that took place during the Youth Congress demonstration in the year 2000. Randeep Singh Surjewala had also participated in the demonstration held at the Commissioner's office regarding the famous Sanvasini incident.

In this case, the High Court had reserved its judgment on October 30 after the arguments of all the parties were completed. The single bench of Justice Rajbir Singh gave the verdict on Friday. The court rejected the arguments presented by Surjewala. The court refused to cancel the trial of the case merely on the basis of delay.

The High Court has not given any relief to Surjewala in this case. A case was registered against Congress leader Surjewala in the year 2000 under sections 147, 332, 353, 336, 333, 427 of the IPC and section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. This case was registered in Cantt police station of Varanasi. The trial of this case was started in April last year, 22 years after the FIR was registered.

Surjewala alleges that all the original records related to the FIR or charge sheet of the case have been damaged or are missing. In such a situation, he had filed an application in Allahabad High Court demanding cancellation of the trial process. The High Court had ordered the Sessions Court of Varanasi to provide documents capable of being read to Surjewala.

On behalf of Surjewala, it was argued in the court that even after the order of the High Court, the documents provided to him are also not worth reading. Therefore, the trial of this case cannot be started. There was a demand to cancel the trial process.

Apart from this, an appeal was also made to the Varanasi Court to cancel the non-bailable warrant issued in this case. On behalf of Randeep Singh Surjewala, senior advocate Syed Ghulam Hasnain presented his side in the court. According to Syed Ghulam Hasnain, the Supreme Court has put a stay on the non-bailable warrant issued against Surjewala from the lower court for 5 weeks.