The Supreme Court has ordered commencement of trial against Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal, who was arrested last year for his alleged involvement in the cross-border cattle smuggling scam.
The order was passed by the Bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal on Monday on a bail petition filed by Mondal.
Appearing for Mondal, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended that the main accused had been granted bail. He argued that there was no progress in this matter as the trial was yet to begin, and the investigation was pending.
The Apex Court asked ASG SV Raju whether all the accused had received the documents. To this, the ASG replied in the affirmative.
The Bench then ordered commencement of the trial, to which Rohatgi said that the trial could not start since the investigation was pending.
At this stage, ASG Raju said that the Central agency was ready to proceed on trial as far as Mondal was concerned. Following this, Justice Trivedi asked ASG Raju whether an investigation was pending against the petitioner.
The ASG replied in negative and reiterated that the trial would proceed against the accused.
The Apex Court then ordered the Trial Court to proceed with the trial in accordance with the law on February 22 and listed the matter for further hearing on February 27.