The Delhi police opposed the arguments given by the defence counsel of former WFI chief saying that a mini-trial cannot be conducted at the current stage.
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal is presently hearing arguments on the question of charges to be framed against Singh.
The additional public prosecutor Atul Shrivastava who appeared for the Delhi Police asserted that jurisdiction to deal with the case lies with Delhi Court contrary to what the defence has claimed.
The public prosecutor pointed out that part of the offences were allegedly committed in the national capital.
Shrivastava also added that the legal provision (Section 188, CrPC) relied upon by the defense was only applicable when the offence was committed outside India in its entirety and not otherwise.
He added that since the offences in question have partly been committed in Delhi and partly outside, the Delhi court will have jurisdiction.
The prosecutor said that an oversight committee report exonerating Bhushan was merely a departmental inquiry. This ‘report’ does not bar the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
The court was told by the prosecutor that it was duty bound to only see the material on record and see if a prima facie case is made out. It added that a mini-trial cannot be conducted at the current stage.
The court will hear further arguments on behalf of the complainants on August 19.