Amaravati: The Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Vijayawada here, ordered in camera proceedings in the trial related to the murder attempt on Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly and YSR Congress Party President, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at Visakhapatnam airport on October 25, 2018. The Court also made it clear that apart from lawyers representing both sides, no one else should be present at the time of the hearings in the case. Further, Justice BVLN Chakravarthi of the NIA Court ordered all media platforms including print and electronic media, not to publish/telecast proceedings with respect to the trial, till further orders.

It may be recalled that the NIA is probing the attempt on YS Jagan's life and has also submitted a charge-sheet in the case. The charge-sheet became public even before it was assigned a special court number. The Special Court judge had earlier hinted at conducting the trial in camera.

The accused in the murder attempt, Srinivasa Rao was produced in the Special Court on Friday, after the period of his custody ended. Immediately, the Special Court judge announced that under Section 17(3) of the NIA Act, in camera proceedings will be conducted in the trial in future. Justice Chakravarthi also clarified that this will speed up the trial while ensuring impartial inquiry into the case.

The Special Court judge also stated that he was issuing these orders keeping in mind the security concerns of the accused, witnesses, public prosecutors and lawyers.

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