Supreme Court Refused To Interfere With Madras High Court Direction To Conduct Murder Trial Inside Jail, Keeps Question Of Law Open

The Supreme Court in the case Sutherson v. Deputy Superintendent of Police and Anr. observed and has declined to entertain the petition moved wherein challenging a directive issued by the Madras High Court to conduct trial proceedings within prison premises.

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The bench comprising of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta in the case observed wherein the special leave petition is filed against the order of October 11, despite the fact that the appellant questioning appropriateness of such judicial orders even in exceptional circumstances. In the present case, the appeal was filed by one Sutherson against the rejection of his bail plea by a Thoothukudi special court. He was being arrested for the murder of an advocate over suspected business rivalry and property disputes. Thus, motivated by apprehensions which relates to the witness safety and the potential for witness intimidation.

The Madras High Court in the case observed and has denied the bail to the accused, but also directed the trial proceedings to be conducted in jail.