Jessica Lall murder: Delhi court to hear perjury case against Shayan Munshi

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday fixed 28 August for hearing a perjury case against Bollywood actor Shayan Munshi in the Jessica Lall murder case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Pooran Chand posted the matter for the next hearing due to the strike by lawyers in district courts. [caption id=“attachment_2217068” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Shayan Munshi in a file photo. AFP[/caption] The lawyers are observing strike against the delay in tabling in Parliament an amended bill regarding enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction of trial courts. Meanwhile, Munshi, who is facing prosecution for allegedly turning hostile in the murder case, moved a plea seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day and the court allowed his application. Another accused Prem Manocha, who was then working as a ballistic expert, was present in the court. The court had earlier cancelled non-bailable warrants (NBW) issued against Munshi after he appeared before it and had directed him to be careful in future. The court had issued NBW against Munshi, who was out on bail, after he failed to appear before it during the proceedings. The case is currently at the stage of hearing arguments on framing of charges against the accused. The court, which had in December 23, 2013 granted bail to Munshi as the offence alleged against him was bailable, had also imposed several conditions on him including that he would regularly attend hearings and shall not influence witnesses or tamper with the records in any manner and inform it before leaving India. Munshi, who was led as a primary witness of prosecution in the Jessica murder case, and Manocha are accused of lying on oath during trial before the sessions court and introducing the “two-gun theory”, which was the primary defence taken by the convicts. The Delhi High Court registrar had filed two separate complaints against them in September, 2013 after the high court passed an order on 22 March, 2013 directing their prosecution for perjury. PTI