In Brief
The petitioners sought transfer of their criminal trial from Himachal Pradesh to another State, claiming threats to life, a lawyer association boycott against them, and media trial prejudicing fair trial prospects. The State countered that competent legal counsel (at State expense) had been appointed, charges were framed, the accused pleaded not guilty, and 33 of 114 prosecution witnesses had been examined. The Supreme Court dismissed the transfer petition, holding that the availability of independent legal representation and substantial trial progress negated the alleged grounds. Mere assertions of threat and media attention, unsupported by concrete evidence, do not justify case transfer."
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