Trial in Ryan School student's death case to continue in Gurugram court

New Delhi, Sept 18: The Supreme Court on Monday was told that Gurugram Bar Association has withdrawn its resolution asking its members not to represent accused officials of Ryan Public School in the case of the death of Class 2 student Pradhyuman Thakur after the top court described the resolution as “erroneous in law”. Asking the Special judge of Gurugram to deal with the matter, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said that “tradition does not authorise any bar association to pass such a resolution”. “The tradition of the Bar and the fundamental conception pertaining to access to justice does not permit any Bar Association to pass a resolution of the ture that had been done. However, the solace is that after realising the fault, the Bar Association has withdrawn the resolution. It is a redeeming act,” the bench said in its order.

Referring to the assurance of the GBA that none of its members would create any kind of hindrance or obstruction for the smooth hearing of the case by special judge dealing with cases under POCSO Act, the top court said: “Despite the aforesaid assurance we are obliged to direct that none of the members of the Bar shall create any kind of impediment in the ingress and regress of any counsel representing the petitioner.” Making it clear in no uncertain terms, the court said in its order, “...It shall be the responsibility of the office bearers of the Bar to see to it that the order is complied with in entirety because any deviation shall be seriously dealt with.” The court stressed that “an accused, whatever the offence may be, has the inherent right to be represented by a counsel of his choice”.

Taking note of the Gurugram Bar Association withdrawing its resolution, the court disposed of petition by Francis Thomas, the arrested north zone administrator of Ryan Public School, seeking the transfer of trial from Gurugram to Delhi.  The court said that trial in the matter would continue in Gurugram court itself. Senior counsel K T S Tulsi, appearing for Thomas, had mentioned the matter for an early hearing on September 13, telling the court that the defence lawyers going from Delhi also faced hostility in the Soh court. (IANS)