Uber rape case: Court to hear final arguments from tomorrow

New Delhi: The trial in the sensational Uber cab rape case, which has witnessed several twists and turns would enter its final stage, with a Delhi court slated to commence hearing final arguments from Monday.

The trial in the case, which came to light after the December 5 last year incident, had begun before Additional Sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja on January 15 with the court recording statement of the victim as a prosecution witness.

While on one hand, the prosecution completed recording of its evidence as part of the fast-track trial in just 17 days, the defence apparently made several attempts to delay the proceedings.

In one such instance, the court dismissed a plea moved by the counsel for driver Shiv Kumar Yadav seeking to adjourn the proceedings for a month to enable him to prepare himself, arguing that "speedy trial" in the case was affecting the fundamental right of the accused. "I am unable to agree with the submissions of defence counsel that a 'speedy trial', which has been deferred time and again as per the request of defence itself, could in any manner adversely affect the fundamental right of the accused, as alleged," the judge had observed in a recent order, dismissing the plea.

"The court's only endeavour has been to comply with the provisions of the CrPC, as far as possible while ensuring the right of the accused to a fair trial. The application under consideration appears to have been moved in order to delay the proceedings, for reasons best known to the applicant," the court had said while refusing to grant any adjournment.

On February 11, the court had closed defence evidence in the case observing that Yadav had attempted to delay the proceedings again by seeking adjournment.