Court allows AAP MLA's plea for trial via video conferencing

A Delhi court on Monday allowed the plea of former Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar that his trial be held through video conferencing from jail in view of an alleged threat to his life.

Kumar is standing trial on rape charges, which he claims are 'politically motivated'.

Special Judge Poonam Chaudhry said: "In view of the facts and circumstances, the accused (Kumar) need not be produced and further remand will be extended through video conferencing till the filing of charge sheet."

The former minister had expressed apprehensions that some miscreants could try to harm him in the jail van.

The court extended Kumar's judicial custody till October 19 after he was produced before it.

The former Social Welfare and Women & Child Development Minister in the Delhi government was arrested on September 3 after a woman approached the Sultanpuri police in north Delhi with a complaint of sexual harassment.

He was booked under sections 376 (rape) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, with intent to kill) of the Indian Penal Code.

Kumar was also charged under the Information Technology Act's Section 67-A (publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form).

--IANS

gt/nir/bg