Court stays Ramoji trial

By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 9 : The AP High Court on Tuesday stayed the criminal proceedings against media baron Ch Ramoji Rao, including his appearance in a case related to financial irregularities in Margadarsi Financiers, pending before the first additional chief metropolitan court at Nampally in the city.
The court issued summons to Ramoji Rao on June 18, 2008, following a complaint filed by Mr T Krishna Raju, the inspector-general (CID) and the authorised officer in the case.
In his complaint, Mr Raju alleged that Mr Rao and his firm violated Section 45-S (1), (i) and 45-S (2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1953.
The government appointed Mr S Satyanarayana Prasad, senior counsel, as a special public prosecutor to deal with the case. Mr Ramoji Rao challenged the validity of the government order issued on February 19, 2007 appointing a Special Public Prosecutor for filing applications and complaints under Section 58 (E) of Reserve Bank of India Act 1934 to prosecute Margadarsi Financiers.
He also challenged the appointment of Ms Sindhu Kumari, advocate, to assist Special Public Prosecutor.
While passing interim orders on the petition Justice Ms G Rohini observed that "I am the opinion that the order is illegal and unsustainable and consequential this complaint presented by the Special Public Prosecutor is not valid. Hence the proceedings in the case cannot be allowed to go on ".
The court granted interim suspension of the appointment of the special public prosecutor as well as the stay of all further proceedings in the case until further orders.
The court issued notices to the all the respondents in the petition.