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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Additional video conferencing systems to be installed in state jails to expedite trial of undertrial prisoners
1 2 Pune: A total of 315 video conferencing systems (VCS) and 589 cubicles will be installed by the state prisons department to expedite the trial of undertrial prisoners languishing in 60 jails. Additional director general (prison) Suhas Warke told TOI on Saturday, "There are 478 existing VCS and 314 cubicles installed in state jails linked to courts. We have proposed to install an additional 315 VCS and 579 cubicles in a phased manner. The total cost of the project is Rs 34 crore. The district planning development committee and the state home department have sanctioned funds of Rs 10.60 crore." Principal secretary (appeals and security) Radhika Rastogi told TOI over the phone, "Installing VCS and cubicles is an ongoing project sanctioned by the state govt. It will reduce the physical burden on police during inmate escorts by eliminating the need for physical transportation to court appearances to some extent. The project aims to save time, resources, and reduce risks associated with inmate movement from jail to courts and vice versa. " You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune Special inspector general (prison) Yogesh Desai said that the provision of section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita expands the use of VCS and other electronic communication within the judicial system. Now, more focus will be on conducting full-fledged trials, inquiries, and other proceedings, including examination of witnesses and recording of evidence using audio-video electronic means within the cubicle system to be installed by the state public works department to maintain the privacy of the hearing. Desai said there are around 40,000 inmates lodged in jails. VCS are being extensively used for producing the inmates for extending their magisterial/judicial custody remand, deciding plead guilty cases, and passing conviction orders etc. Advocate Milind Pawar, former president of Pune Bar Association, said the CBI took the initiative to start the VCS to conduct trials in the fake stamp paper case involving kingpin AKL Telgi and 64 others at the special court, Pune, in 2004. In the last 21 years, the state govt has installed VCS across the courts. VCS can do wonders if the internet connectivity system is improved and more storage space is created to install additional VCS at the district and taluka courts on the lines of virtual hearing in Bombay High Court and Supreme Court. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Culpable homicide charge against SUV driver for wrong side driving after lawyer's death
Pune: The Pune Rural police on Friday invoked the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against an SUV driver in a wrong-side driving case that resulted in the death of a lawyer (35), Aniket Bhalerao, in Khanapur around 4pm on May 14. Bhalerao's bike collided head-on with the SUV, being driven by businessman Raj Chorge (24) from Kondhwa Budruk on the wrong side. Bhalerao died on the spot. Chorge sped away after the accident without informing the police. Initially, a case of negligence causing death was registered. Chorge was arrested on Friday and produced before the court, seeking his magisterial custody. Bhalerao's brother, Shantaram (52) from Vardade village in Haveli tehsil, through his lawyer Prakash Chavan and members of the Pune Bar Association, represented by its president Hemant Zanjad, intervened and opposed the police plea on the grounds that it was a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. They pointed out that there was enough evidence to show that the car driver deliberately entered the wrong side before colliding with Bhalerao's bike. Sub-inspector Sanjay Koli from the Haveli police, the investigating officer in the case, withdrew the remand report invoking bailable sections related to causing death due to negligence and rash driving under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act. He later sought permission from judicial magistrate first class L K Sapkal to invoke the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the provisions of Section 105 of the BNS. He filed a fresh remand report invoking the new charge and prayed to send Chorge to custodial remand for three days. Assistant public prosecutor Dilip Gaikwad argued that the custodial interrogation of Chorge was essential because he knew driving on the wrong side could cause an accident, endangering his life and that of others. He submitted that the intention to cause the victim's death was not essential to invoke the charge of culpable homicide. "This is because only knowledge was essential to prove the ingredients of culpable homicide," he added. Chorge's lawyer, Abhijeet Khandare, termed the police action of invoking the stringent charge of culpable homicide against his client an afterthought because the victim's brother had not disclosed the details of wrong-side driving in the FIR. He submitted that the police had rightly invoked the charge of causing death due to negligence. The charge of culpable homicide was wrongly invoked, he said, adding that his client had surrendered before the police. After hearing both sides, the court granted permission to the police to invoke the charge of culpable homicide and ordered the custodial remand of Chorge till May 19.
