Tuesday, June 21 2005 19:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: IAF Flying Officer Anjali Gupta, facing charges of insubordination and irregularities, has drafted Supreme Court advocate H B Mishra, as her defence counsel in the General Court Martial.

The GCM had granted her ten days time to procure a civil defence counsel of her choice; Gupta had insisted that he had no faith and confidence in IAF defending officers.

When the GCM of Gupta resumed today (Jun 21, 2005), her defending officer Gp. Capt. R Vijay Kumar sought to be relieved of his role now that she has a new counsel.

The Court wanted to know from Gupta whether she wanted Gp. Capt. Vijay Kumar to now discharge the role as 'friend of the accused'; Gupta replied in affirmative.

But Gp. Capt. Vijay Kumar said Gupta had expressed lack of faith in him, and again pleaded to be relieved of this responsibility. The Court then discharged him, and asked him to hand over all documents to Mishra.

Mishra, who is said have served the IAF earlier, then sought three days' time for going through the documents and familiarising himself with the case.

Earlier, Mishra also sought some clarifications.

IAF Prosecutor said he needs time to respond to them. The court was adjourned for tomorrow (Jun 22, 2005).