Patna, Sept 12 (PTI) The Patna High Court today ordered the Bihar government to make immediate arrangements for trial through video-conferencing of controversial RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin at AIIMS in Delhi for expeditious disposal of pending cases againt him.

Justice V N Sinha issued the order while expressing displeasure at the Bihar government for not making the arrangements so far.

Sinha also took to task the AIIMS authorities for their "non-serious attitude" on the Shahabuddin issue by not furnishing his medical reports on time and sought explanation from the director and superintendent of the premier hospital within one week on the matter. More



Giving reasons why Bihar government had so far not made arrangements for trial of Shahabuddin through video-conferencing in view of his prolonged stay at the AIIMS, Advocate General P K Shahi told the court that a private company approached by the government was asking for Rs 9 lakh in advance and Rs 3,000 per day for making necessary arrangements.

Since it was not clear for how many more days the MP would remain admitted at AIIMS, it was thought to be a waste of public money, Shahi said.

Justice Sinha said justice could not be delayed for want of money and instructed the state to make arrangements for expeditious trial of the MP at AIIMS in over three dozen cases of murder, kidnapping and extortion pending against him.

Accepting the prayer of Shahabuddin for specialised treatment for his spinal problem, Patna High Court had on July 31 directed the state government to take him to the AIIMS.

The court had also ordered that if the MP was required to stay for more than a fortnight at AIIMS, arrangements be made for his trial through video-conferencing. Shahabuddin was taken to AIIMS on August 5.