In Brief
A retired Chief Engineer filed transfer petitions seeking to move two corruption-related criminal cases from Siliguri, West Bengal to New Delhi, citing severe health problems (paralytic attack, brain stroke) and advanced age (70 years). The Court dismissed both petitions. While acknowledging the petitioner's medical condition, the Court held that transfer could not be granted because substantial witness examination had occurred (32 of 115 witnesses examined in one case), co-accused would be prejudiced by the move, and granting one transfer while rejecting the other lacked consistency. However, the trial court was directed to dispense with the petitioner's personal appearance except when necessary and to consider permitting virtual participation if feasible."
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