Mumbai Sessions’ Court today adjourned the hearing in the photojournalist gangrape case till 1st of April. As soon as the court convened to hear the arguments on the quantum of sentence in the case, both prosecution and defence requested for an adjournment saying they needed time to study the Bombay High Court order. Although the High Court, had refrained from expressing any conclusive view about applicability of section 376 (e) and the tenability of framing additional charges post conviction, it had clearly said that non-interference in the Sessions Court order at this stage shall not be construed as an approval to frame additional charges.

The High Court was hearing the plea filed by the three common convicts challenging the framing of additional charge against them under section 376 (e) of the IPC which provides for death sentence for repeat offenders. The court, had on Thursday also issued a notice to the Attorney General of India seeking his opinion on the constitutional validity of section 376 (e) and had posted the matter for further hearing after six weeks.

The Prosecution in the twin Shakti Mills gangrape cases had sought framing of these additional charges soon after the three common convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment in the telephone operator's gangrape case.