On May 24, the accused had informed the court during the hearing that 47 of them had sent telegrams and also letters requesting the High Court to cancel the transfer order of Bhedi, who has been shifted to Mumbai.
When the court sat on Tuesday to take up the application of 25 accused, who in the previous hearing had expressed willingness to plead guilty, Telgi and other accused informed the judge over video conference that they were on a hunger strike since the deadline, they had set for the cancellation of her transfer order, was over today.
As all the accused were seized by emotions, the court could not initiate any proceeding in the matter and spent a couple of hours convincing them that it was a routine transfer.
Meanwhile, Bhedi, who is slated to relinquish her charge here by the end of May and was about to frame charges in the case, asked the accused to give up their protest.
The high court has transferred Bhedi as part of a routine administrative measure, she had said on May 24.
Reasoning that as the health of most of the inmates was not in good, Bhedi said it was not right for them to go on a hunger strike.
The Special Judge then asked Milind Pawar, Telgi's lawyer, to meet the Telgi and convince him on calling off the indefinite stir.
Meanwhile, Yerawada Central Jail Superintendent Rajendra Dhamne said that some 53 accused have gone on indefinite hunger strike from Tuesday afternoon.
Pawar said that he proposed to meet Telgi on Wednesday as per the court's directions.
Former legislator Anil Gote, who was produced in court in person, also expressed unhappiness over her transfer.
Bhedi's considerate approach towards the various requests of the accused from allowing them to meet their relatives to making provision for proper medical treatment for them has further enhanced her respect in the eyes of the inmates.
