Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 28
The June 2016 fuel adulteration case exposed by the ACAUT is in the trial stage with the court in the process of examining witnesses.
On March 28, a scheduled cross examination of prosecution witnesses in connection to the case was postponed to May next.
The postponement was attributed to the ‘pen-down strike’ by state government employees. The Public Prosecutor (PP) handling the case informed that on account of the strike, the cross examination has been postponed to May 2 and 3.
This was not the first instance of scheduled court proceedings deferred, with regard to the case, since charges were framed in November 2016. Earlier in February, a scheduled cross examination of witnesses was postponed due to the ULB election related bandh.
The PP added that the charges were framed at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Dimapur based on the charge sheet filed by the police in October 2016. The first cross examination of witnesses occurred in December 2016.
As many as 68 prosecution witnesses are likely to depose before the CJM as the trial progresses.
Among the evidences to be examined include the reports of the forensic analyses of petroleum products and chemicals found from the suspected adulteration units, which were sealed by the police. As for the ACAUT, it is hopeful that justice will be delivered.
Hopefully, the case will be decided favourably in public interest,” commented a member of the ACAUT media cell.
