Four months after the cashier at a chemist shop in Sector 11 was shot dead in full public view, a special court framed charges against all nine accused in the case.
All of them pleaded not guilty and opted to face trial after the charges were read out and explained to them. The prosecution claimed the recoveries were linked to the wider criminal network. The defence argued that several accused had no direct role in the murder and that the alleged recoveries and offences in Punjab should be tried separately. It observed that separate trials could lead to duplication of evidence, delays and conflicting findings. The court, however, clarified that arguments concerning the individual roles of the accused would be examined during the trial and would not be prejudiced by the present order. If a defence counsel failed to appear or sought an adjournment despite a witness being present, the cross-examination on behalf of that accused would be treated as not conducted.
During the investigation, police also recovered 3 kg methamphetamine (ICE) and fake Indian currency notes worth ₹ 8 lakh from Tarn Taran. The court of special NDPS judge Raman Goklaney, however, held that the alleged murder, supply of weapons, shelter arrangements, drug trafficking and counterfeit currency activities prima facie formed part of the same transaction under Section 246(d) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), permitting a joint trial. The court has summoned four prosecution witnesses for November 10, when all nine accused are to be produced through video conferencing.
Directing an expeditious trial, the court said cross-examination of prosecution witnesses would not be deferred through repeated adjournments.
