Delhi Court deprecates Mehmood Pracha for "wild allegations" against Delhi riots public prosecutor Amit Prasad

A Delhi court recently deprecated wild and unsubstantiated allegations by Advocate Mehmood Pracha that Delhi riots Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad took money from Delhi police in an underhand manner. .Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Courts said that he does not want to get into the allegations made by Pracha and that Prasad can take action against these allegations if he desires. “However, the court deprecates the wild allegations without substantiation made against the prosecutor and particularly when it did not concern the merits of the case,” the Court observed..While the Court was hearing the bail application of accused Tasleem Ahmed in the Delhi riots conspiracy case on August 26, Pracha and Prasad started shouting at each other and made personal allegations.This prompted the Court to adjourn the matter.Later, Pracha moved an application for an early hearing of the case. In the said application, Pracha said that Prasad had threatened to implicate him (Pracha) in the case. Pracha added that he got a private investigation conducted which found out that the SPP was taking money in cash from the police.Prasad filed a response stating that Pracha has questioned his integrity and that he (Pracha) should produce evidence to substantiate his "false and grave" allegations. The prosecution cannot be browbeaten like this, Prasad added.He also said that Pracha cannot continue to represent the accused in the case because one of the protected witnesses, ‘Smith’, had mentioned Pracha. Thus, there is a conflict of interest as Pracha could be summoned as witness, the SPP said..The Court considered the case on November 25 and said that it cannot get into a discussion about who was appointed as the prosecutor or advocate in a case and that it was for the accused to decide who he wants as a lawyer.Regarding the conflict of interest allegations against Pracha, the Court said, “The accused despite being aware of the allegations of conflict of the interest still insists that he should be represented by the same advocate Mehmood Pracha. Regarding this issue whether it is a conflict of interest and is not allowed by Bar Council of Delhi Rules, the same is left open for the prosecutor or for the Bar Council of Delhi to consider or to initiate an action, if deemed fit.”ASJ Rawat further said that proceedings in the Delhi riots conspiracy case plea must continue as it impacts/hampers the case of all other accused persons and the prosecution as well.Hence, he posted the bail petition of Tasleem Ahmed for hearing on December 7. .[Read Order]