The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, severely reprimanded the Best Bakery case key witness Zaheera Sheikh, who had turned hostile during the trial, for her "flip flops" and sentenced her to one year simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000 for contempt of court.
Accepting the report of the high-powered inquiry committee, which had indicted her as a "self-condemned liar", a Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice H.K. Sema said in case of default of payment of fine, Zaheera will undergo further imprisonment of one year. Justice Pasayat, who read the judgement, said, "This is a classic example of a case where evidence were tampered with and witnesses won over".
Disapproving the conduct of Zaheera in the case, the Bench directed the Income Tax authorities to attach her assets and bank accounts for three months. It also asked the Income Tax authorities to initiate proceedings to ascertain her source of income since year 2000 till the present day.
The Court said the proceedings against Zaheera will be initiated in accordance with law and directed the Commissioner of Income Tax, Vadodara to take appropriate action.
The Bench left it open to Income Tax authorities to inquire into the alleged sting operation showing controversial BJP MLA Madhu Srivastava and Congress Corporator Bathu Srivastava talking about payment of money to Zaheera.
Zaheera's whereabouts unknown: Counsel
Expressing ignorance about the whereabouts of Zaheera Sheikh, the key witness who turned hostile in Best Bakery case, her counsel Atul Mistry, on Wednesday, said she was not in touch with him "since the Supreme Court verdict against her".
"Since the Supreme Court verdict against her she is not in touch with me. I do not know about the whereabouts of her. It is for the police to trace her. Zaheera has not phoned me in the past few months," he said. Law has to take its own course now, he said.
The Supreme Court awarded one year simple imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine to Zaheera for contempt of court after accepting the report of the high-powered committee which indicted her as "self-condemned liar". According to legal experts, this is the first case where a riot victim has been sentenced for perjury.
(updated on 09-03-06)
The Supreme Court has sentenced the key witness in the Best Bakery case Zaheera Sheikh to one year in prison.
Finding her guilty of perjury, the apex court also asked her to pay a fine of Rs 50,000. Zaheera faces two years imprisonment if she fails to pay the fine.
In its observation, a bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice H K Sem said it was a classic example of witnesses turning hostile.
It also noted that it was the duty of the court to uphold the majesty of law.
Assets to be attached
The court directed the income tax authorities to attach the assets and bank accounts of Zaheera.
It also asked the IT authorities to initiate proceedings to ascertain her source of income since year 2000 till today.
Zaheera's changing testimonies are believed to have weakened the Best Bakery trial and led to the acquittal of many of the accused.
This Supreme Court judgment is going to have reverberations in kerala politics. There are parallels in kozhikode ice cream-parlor case. Instead of Zaheera, there is Rejeena.if the court is going to initiate the proceedings to ascertain Rajeena’s income, it will have far reaching consequences.