48 GJM members were accused by the CBI in charges for the murder of All India Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang in Darjeeling in 2011.
During the hearing of the case in Kolkata High court on July 19, the court had issued orders that all the 48 accused, against whom CBI has sought framing of charges in the case, to be present before the court of the chief judge of City Sessions Court.
Out of 48 only 26 of the accused were present for the hearing on Monday in the sessions court. All the accused, who were absent in the court, made written prayers before the court seeking to be represented by their lawyers, opposing the pleas, CBI counsel Arun Bhagat said that the court had explicitly made it clear that all 48 accused were to be present and demanded before the chief judge of City Sessions Court Kundan Kumar an arrest warrant for the 22 absent accused.
Among those absent for the hearing were GJM Chief Bimal Gurung, his wife Asha Gurung and Roshan Giri.
A division bench presided by acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre has directed the trial court to hold a day-to-day hearing and conclude proceedings for framing of charges by August 17.