Charges to be framed against Rao on Thursday

Decks were cleared for framing charges against former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao, the prime accused in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha bribery case, when the Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to stay proceedings in the case before a special court in New Delhi.

A division bench comprising Justices M K Mukherjee and K T Thomas observed that charges could be framed against the accused on Thursday as scheduled. ''It is happening in every case,'' the judges said. ''We will not stay the proceedings in the case before Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke.''

The observations were made following Rao's special leave petition against the Delhi high court judgment in the case. The verdict had upheld the special court's decision to frame charges against Rao and the 18 other accused in the case, observing that there was prima facie evidence against them.

UNI

EARLIER REPORTS:
Judge blasts Rao, finds 'substantial evidence' in MPs's bribery case
Framing of charges against Rao adjourned
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