How can an accused lodged in a jail give an interview to a television channel? That is the question Bombay High Court wants the state government to answer regarding an interview given by a prime accused in the 2005 murder of Jalgaon Congressman VG Patil while in custody.

VG Patil's wife, Rajni, filed a petition in HC in 2007, alleging that GN Patil, brother of President Pratibha Patil, had conspired to kill her husband on September 21, 2005, owing to political rivalry. Police made two arrests — Raju Mali and Raju Sonawane — but Rajni alleged that the mastermind, GN Patil, was being shielded because of his political clout.

Mahesh Jethmalani, Rajni's lawyer, told the court on Tuesday that Mali had given an interview to Aaj Tak channel while he was in jail. "How can such a thing be permitted," asked Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar.

State government lawyer advocate Aruna Kamat-Pai said that when the interview was given, Mali was in judicial custody. She sought time to seek information from jail authorities. The court adjourned the matter till Wednesday.

The CBI, which took over the case in March 2007, has given a 'clean chit' to GN Patil, stating that it found no evidence supporting the allegations made by Rajni. It has filed a chargesheet against four persons — Raju Mali, Raju Sonawane, Damodar Lokhande and Leeladhar Narkhede.

Anshika Misra/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication