[Malegaon Blast] Special court to conduct trial on day-to-day basis from tomorrow; all accused to remain present in Court on December 19

The Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court at Mumbai today informed that the trial in the Malegaon blast case will be conducted on a day to day basis starting from tomorrow..The court had earlier directed all the accused to remain present before it today. .However, the lawyers for the accused prayed for a special exemption on the ground that due to short notice, some of the accused could not arrange for transport from their locations. Others, they added, were not physically fit to travel..Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the court excused their non-appearance today. However, it directed all the accused to remain present in the court on December 19..The Special judge PR Sitre, who was recently transferred, is going to continue hearing the case after the previous judge retired in February 2020. Judge Sitre indicated that he wanted to begin the trial on a day to day basis..A spot witness was present in court today, who had been examined by the NIA and was scheduled to be re-examined today by the defence. The defences lawyers sought for a day's adjournment to begin with their cross-examination. .After confirming with the witness that he would be willing to be present tomorrow, the court adjourned the trial so as to begin it from tomorrow..The Bombay High Court today also clarified that they had by no means stayed the trial in the Malegaon blast case, while hearing the plea filed by Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, one of the accused in the Malegaon case. Purohit today sought for an adjournment since Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi could not remain present for the hearing. .Advocate Sandesh Patil, appearing for NIA, apprised the High Court Court that the hearing is going on today in the Special NIA Court and that it will commence on a day to day basis from tomorrow..The High Court clarified that since they had not stayed the trial, it must go on. The Bench recollected that out of 400 witnesses, only 140 had been examined so far. Therefore, the Court remarked that the trial must go on. .The High Court has adjourned Purohit's plea for further hearing on December 14, 2020.