CHENNAI: THE Madras High Court has set aside an order dated April 19 last of the Economic Offences Court (EOC)-II, Egmore, which framed charges against AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran in the 1996 FERA violation case.
Justice MS Ramesh, who quashed the order while allowing a criminal original petition from Dhinakaran on Monday, however, directed the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (EOC-II) to complete the trial in the case on a day-to-day basis within three months.
Permitting the petitioner to put forth his arguments on the charges framed in the said case, the judge said that the exercise should be completed within one working day and such date should be fixed by the ACMM (EOC-II), Egmore, on or before July 31.
The judge made it clear that he had not expressed any of his views on the merits of the case and it was open to the EOC to frame the charges, if such arguments were not advanced on the stipulated date by the petitioner.
Though the judge did not attribute the delay either on the prosecution or on the petitioner, he however said the proceedings had been dragged on for an unreasonably long period. The allegations levelled against the petitioner were of serious nature and to secure the ends of justice, a speedy trial was undoubtedly warranted.
In view of the same, the ACMM (EOC-II) was directed to conclude the main proceedings within three months and if need be, on a day-to-day basis. He should endeavor to complete the proceedings within the time limit set.