Jasdan Sexual Assault Case: High Court Questions Gujarat Govt Over Sudden Change of Special Public Prosecutor

The Gujarat High Court has questioned the state government’s decision to replace a 40-year-experienced Special Public Prosecutor in the Jasdan gang rape case just three days after his appointment, seeking an explanation for the move.

The petition was filed by the father of the 21-year-old survivor, who has challenged the government’s decision to remove advocate Anil Desai and appoint another lawyer with around 10 years of experience.

During the hearing on September 3 in Ahmedabad, advocate Anand Yagnik, appearing for the petitioner, raised questions over the government’s decision and referred to the Supreme Court’s standard operating procedure for handling gang rape cases.

High Court Questions Government’s Decision

Justice Moksha Thakkar questioned the government about its reason for replacing the more experienced Special Public Prosecutor.

The court asked what interest the government had in changing the prosecutor and directed the state to explain the circumstances behind the decision.

The case is currently at the charge-framing stage, making the appointment of the Special Public Prosecutor a significant issue for the proceedings.

Advocate Challenges Removal of Anil Desai

According to the petitioner, advocate Anil Desai, who has around 40 years of legal experience, was appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case.

However, within three days, the government replaced him with another advocate who has around 10 years of experience.

Yagnik argued that the move was contrary to the Supreme Court’s standard operating procedure concerning gang rape cases. He submitted that the prescribed criteria called for an advocate with more than 20 years of experience in such matters.

The petitioner has alleged that the government ignored these guidelines while making the change.

Dispute Over Why Prosecutor Was Replaced

The government has reportedly told the court that Desai was unwilling to conduct the case because of his busy schedule.

Desai, however, has disputed this explanation. He has stated that he did not write any letter refusing to handle the case and had not declined the assignment.

This contradiction has become a central point in the petition challenging the prosecutor’s replacement.

Jasdan Gang Rape Case

The case concerns allegations that a 21-year-old woman was gang-raped at a women's hostel in Jasdan, Rajkot district.

The criminal proceedings have now reached the charge-framing stage. The petitioner has approached the High Court seeking scrutiny of the government's decision to change the Special Public Prosecutor at this stage.

The High Court has sought an explanation from the state government. The matter will be heard further in the coming days.