Special Judge CBI Bala Joyti has rejected the plea of former Minister and Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP) supremo Lal Singh seeking appointment of Warrant Officer. After hearing Advocate Rajesh Kotwal for the applicant whereas APP Ashwani Khajuria for the Enforcement Directorate, the court observed, “according to the prosecution, there is no provision for appointment of Warrant Officer in any circumstances under the Act and the present application being completely illegal and bad in law be rejected”. Investigating Officer stated at bar that Ch Lal Singh is completely stable and conscious and there are no urgent or extra-ordinary circumstances to invoke the extra-ordinary jurisdiction of this court. Moreover, the accused Ch. Lal Singh is being medically examined every 24 hours and is under proper medical supervision and fit in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate as such for appointment of Warrant Officer be rejected. In rebuttal, the other side reiterated that proper medical aid is not provided to Ch Lal Singh in ED custody as such Warrant Officer may be appointed. After consideration of rival submissions, the Special Judge observed, “this court has taken care of him by permitting medicines as prescribed by the doctors keeping in view of his health status and also allowed him to share his diet chart with ED authorities vide order dated 13.11.2023 in CMP No. 305, as such, prayer in this application being devoid of any legal force is declined”.
