In Brief
Petitioners in a criminal case filed a transfer petition seeking to move their trial from Shimla court to another state, citing threats to their lives, refusal of local bar associations to represent them, and alleged media trial. The trial had already commenced with charges framed, the accused pleading not guilty, and 33 of 114 prosecution witnesses examined. The Court dismissed the petition, finding no justification for transfer where legal representation was secured at State expense and the trial was already substantially advanced, absent concrete evidence of prejudice to fair trial.
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