The two Zee editors cannot “dictate terms” for giving their voice sample in the investigation into the Rs 100-crore extortion case against them lodged by officials of Congress MP Naveen Jindal’s firm said by a court here in Delhi.
The court rejected their plea that the investigators be stopped from taking their voice samples by making them read the transcripts of an audio clip of a sting done by Jindal’s firm.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mukesh Kumar said if they are willing, then Zee News Editor Sudhir Chaudhary and Zee Business Editor Samir Ahluwalia will have to give their voice sample as per the instruction of probe agency.
“Now it is open with accused (Sudhir and Samir) whether they want to give voice sample or not. If yes, then they have to give voice sample as per requirements of the investigating agency as well as per the scientific officer, who shall instruct the IO (investigating officer) as in what manner the voice sample of accused is to be collected for comparison,” the judge said.
The court, in its order, told that the editors themselves agreed to give voice sample and they cannot be allowed to dictate the terms on the manner in which they will give their voice sample to the investigating agency.
“Even if they wishe to take such a plea, then it would be considered that they wants to derail the trial and divert the direction of the investigation.
“Any such attempt that accused is trying to dictate the terms to the investigating agency will amount to denial as accused is not willing to give their voice sample,” the court said, adding they can not be allowed to dictate the terms.
The two editors had, on December 12, 2012, while refusing to undergo lie detector test agreed to undergo the voice sample test.
