Friday, May 20 2005 16:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: IAF Flying Officer Anjali Gupta, arraigned on charges of indiscipline, insubordination and financial irregularities, has hired Supreme Court advocate S B Mishra to defend her in the military court in Bangalore. The 28-year-old officer informed the General Court Martial (GCM) today (May 20, 2005) that the advocate had given his consent and would make his first appearance on May 28. The Court expressed the view that lawyers cannot dictate dates to it.

Gupta's new defending officer Gp Capt R Vijaykumar was asked how much time he required to prepare himself to argue the case. He requested the court to adjourn the trial to May 25 as he had to go through voluminous documents and needed time to acquaint himself in the matter.

The GCM, presided over by Gp Capt V Ganesh, adjourned further hearing to May 24.

Earlier, the Court withdrew her defending officer Wg Cdr Vijay Bhupesh as per her desire. Gupta had told the court her line of Defence was different from that of him, and prayed for his withdrawal.

Gp Capt Vijaykumar was her first choice in the list of five defending officers when the GCM proceedings began last month. But, service exigencies did not permit him to appear for her, it was said.

But in recent hearings, Gupta had made it amply clear that she would not choose to be defended by any of the IAF officers. She wants a professional civil counsel with Defence background to argue her case effectively and properly, as she repeatedly maintained.

Gupta termed Gp Capt Vijaykumar's appointment as her defending officer as one without her consent. But the Court observed, "Whether you utilise his services or not, he would be there (as Defence counsel)".

But it said she can bring in her civil Defence counsel at any stage of the trial. The Court had earlier disallowed her plea seeking an end to her "close arrest", saying during GCM proceedings it was warranted, but after adjournments it was for IAF administration to decide.

Gupta today charged the IAF administration with not accepting her application seeking lifting of close arrest. She also said arraignment of charges was "forced on her". "Court wants to somehow punish me", she alleged.