Artiste's kin wants case to be fast-tracked

MUMBAI: A relative of slain classical dancer and vocalist, Bireshwar Gautam, has requested the state government to transfer the murder case trial to fast track court. This happened after a sessions court judge suggested that the trial be handed over to a senior judge.
Sandip Roy wrote to additional chief secretary (home) Umesh Sarangi stating that since once year, over 20 hearing have been conducted and seven witnesses have been produced before the court but there has been no development yet.''Justice delayed is justice denied,'' said Roy. A police official said that the decision of conducting the fast track trial in the case can be taken by the senior officers, home department or court authorities.
Bireshwar used to conduct dance classes at his Oshiwara residence. On December 10, 2009, one of his students, an aspiring actor Kush Agnihotri, went to Bireshwar's residence and carried out the murder.
Bireshwar's body was recovered the next day by his relatives and friends. During a probe, the needle of suspicion pointed towards Agnihotri. The cops arrested Agnihotri. He told the cops that Brieshwar was exploiting him physically with a promise to get him a role in films. On the day of the incident, Bireshwar tried to get physical with Agnihotri. This enraged Agnihotri and he strangulated Bireshwar. Agnihotri was release on bail six months after his arrest.
Bireshwar's body was recovered next day by his relatives and friends when they manage to open the house door as no was answering the door bells. The Oshiwara police had arrested Agnihotri four days after the crime and he told the police that Bireshwar was exploiting him physically after promising to help him to get film assignment. According to the police record, on the day of the incident, Bireshwar, tried to get physical with Agnihotri after which latter strangulated him to death.
Bireshwar's relative Sandip Roy wrote to additional chief secretary (Home), Umesh Sarangi, on Tuesday requesting for the fast track court trial in the case. He stated in his letter that since last one year 20 hearings was conducted in the case in the courtroom of three different judges. It further reads that seven witnesses were produced before the courts. Roy said, "A crucial witness yet to be depose before the court and the trial is referred to a new judge. Justice delayed is justice denied".
A police officer following the case stated that the decision of conducting the fast track trial in the case can be taken by the senior officers, home department or court authorities.
Agnihotri was in jail for six months after his arrest and the session court had released him on bail last June after his parents assured the court that the accused will be present in the court whenever requires during the course of trial.