Bhanwari Devi case: Paras Ram Bishnoi seeks discharge

JODHPUR: The counsel of Reshma Ram Bishnoi, an accused in the Bhanwari Devi case, pleaded innocence on behalf of his client on Wednesday.
Counsel of Paras Ram Bishnoi, another accused in the case, moved an application in the court for his discharge. The court also deferred the trial till August 13, after the defence sought time to prepare his arguments.
Reshma Ram's counsel told the court that the entire dispute was between Mahipal Maderna, Malkhan Singh Bishnoi and Bhanwari Devi."My client has nothing to do with the dispute and the conspiracy to eliminate Bhanwari Devi," argued counsel Sagra Ram.
Paras Ram Bishnoi's counsel moved an application in the court under Section 227 of CrPC stating that "if upon consideration of the case record and the documents submitted herewith, and after hearing the submissions of the accused and the prosecution on this behalf, the Judge considers that there is not sufficient ground for proceeding against the accused, he shall discharge the accused and record his reasons for so doing".
Protesting the application, special senior counsel for CBI Ashok Joshi said there was no point in moving any application at this stage. "We will reply to the application in the next hearing," he said.
Paras Ram has also moved a bail application in the high court. His counsel argued that he was arrested just two hours after filing of the chargesheet in a haphazard manner. The high court has listed the matter for hearing on August 23.